PABC wins over McLarens Group

A crucial five wicket partnership of 70 runs in 61 balls between Saman Fernando (76 in 65 balls, two sixes and eight fours) and Nimanda Subasinghe (46 in 40 balls, four sixes and four fours), gave Pan Asia Banking Corporation a thrilling two wickets win over McLarens Group in the Final of the fifth Prestige Automobile Ltd. sponsored ‘BMW-Hyundai’ Cup, MCA “C” division 50 Over League tournament 2016, concluded at the MCA Grounds on Saturday.

PABC was chasing a victory target of 258 runs in 50 Overs (RPO 5.16). In form opener Thusitha Silva departed early, but Chamika Sansaka (28) and Kanishka Prashan (42) did a quick road repair putting 45 runs for the second wicket. 

Nimanda Subasinghe departed at 214 and Saman Fernando (run out at the bowlers end) and Praveen Fernando (00) followed at 238, as the game swung towards McLarens, with the board reading at 238 for seven in the 46th over. 

The pendulum swung once again for PABC when Randika Fernando bowling his last over (10th) and the 47th of the innings, gave away nine runs (249 for seven). 

But Randika Fernando made amends by taking a brilliant catch at point to get rid of Viraj Deepal (15 in 25 balls) off skipper, Tharinda Rukshan (251 for eight in 48 overs), Leaving , skipper, Buddhika de Alwis and Savindra Amaradasa to survive the final charge by McLarens.

It was a do-or-die 49th over bowled by the highest wicket taker in the tournament, Piyal Dissanayake; De Alwis took the bull by the horns as he sent Dissanayake’s third delivery to the fence to tie up the scores; dejected, Dissanayake bowled a wide in his next delivery, thus conceding a memorable win to PABC with two wickets in hand and eight balls to spare. At the end of the day, McLarens would have regretted that they gave away 18 runs in wides. 

Earlier on, McLarens who won the toss and chose to bat on a green top, put up a challenging 257 for eight in 50 overs, their inning anchored by opener, Mahel Gerom (80 in 117 balls inclusive of a six and six fours) and Sandaruwan Hettiarachchi (63 in 75 balls, hitting 08 fours), being associated in a 115 runs stand for the third wicket. It was the fourth half century for the left hander, technically correct batsman, Mahel Gerom. 

McLarens bat deep and it was the two PABC right arm medium pacers Anju Perera (10-45-4) and Savindra Amaradasa (10-46-3) that kept them at bay. Match Referee, A.J. Samarasekera picked PABC’s Saman Fernando, as his Man of the Match. 

The other three special awards went to Piyal Dissanayake from McLarens, the best bowler (176 runs/14 wickets); Shaminda Fernando from McLarens, the best batsman (382 runs including 158 not out Vs. HSBC “A” & 114 Vs. NTB “A”) & Aruna Henryson from Std Chartered Bank, the Man of the Series (276 runs inclusive of 105 Vs. McLarens and 12 wickets.) 

The awards were presented by Christian Reuter (Chief Guest) and Viola Karunaratne (Guest of Honor) – both Directors from Prestige Automobile Ltd.; Niran Mahawatte, President, Nalin Wickremasinghe, General Secretary and Sanjaya Wijesinghe, Secretary/Tournament Committee – all from MCA.

Chief Scores:

McLarens – 257 for 8 in 50 Overs (Mahel Gerom 80, Shaminda Fernando 17, Sandaruwan Hettiarachchi 63, Basheer Bongso 26 not out, Randima Maduwantha 21, Anju Perera 4/45, Savindra Amaradasa 3/46) 

PABC – 258 for 8 in 48.4 overs (Chamika Sansaka 28, Kanishka Prashan 42, Saman Fernando 76, Mahesh Kumara 17, Nimanda Subasinghe 46, Sachin Peris 2/50, Tharindu Rukshan 3/53).