Sanjaya and Punnya guide MCA Committee to win over Lanka Cavaliers
View(s):A brisk half century by Sanjaya Wijesinghe and a five wicket haul by Punnya Kantha Abeygunasekera guided MCA Committee to a heart stopping five runs win over Lanka Cavaliers in the 12th Cricket Encounter played for the ‘Tyrone de Silva’ Challenge Trophy, at the MCA grounds last Saturday.
MCA batting first posted a challenging 183 for 6 in 20 overs via Sanjaya Wijesinghe (56 rtd. in 28 balls, inclusive of three sixes and five fours) and Mahesh Wijewardene (47 in 25 balls inclusive of four sixes and equal number of fours), who were engaged in a 58 runs partnership for the fifth wicket.
Lanka Cavaliers gave a spirited chase (R.P.O. 9.2) through Asanga Perera (42), Basil Jayawardena (25) and Sajeeva Silva (48 inclusive of four sixes and four fours) which took the game to the wire, needing eight runs in the last over.
Punnya Kantha Abeygunasekera (3-0-26-5), who bowled the last over, kept his nerve and snapped up the wickets of Mahesh Wijenayake, Niranjan Dabare and Riyaz Farook, giving away only two runs; Daya Sirisena ran himself in the process and Lanka Cavaliers fell inches away from the post all out for 178 runs in 20 overs.
All three special awards went to MCA, Sanjaya Wijesinghe (Best Batsman), Punnya Kantha Abeygunasekera (Best Bowler) and Mahesh Wijewardene (Man of the Match).
Former President MCA Tyrone de Silva who initiated this match in 2004 and donated the trophy was the Chief Guest.
After 12 encounters, the series tally stands at MCA seven wins, Lanka Cavaliers three wins; the 2006 encounter ended in a ‘tie’ and the 2014 encounter was declared joint winners. – LR
| Chief Scores MCA Committee 183 for 6 in 20 overs (P.K. Abeygunasekera 19, Sanjaya Wijesinghe 56 rtd, Mahesh Wijewardene 47, Riyaz Farook 2/24, Mahesh Wijenayake 2/30) Lanka Cavaliers 178 all out in 20 overs (Asanga Perera 42, Basil Jayawardena 25, Sajeewa Silva 48, Riyaz Farook 20, Mahesh de Alwis 2/20, P.K. Abeygunasekera 5/26) | |