A 14-ball 40 by left hander Dhanushka
CDB's Chathuranga Dikkumbura cuts - Pic by Ranjith Perera
A fine team effort where every member of the team contributed to their best ability helped Citizens Development Business Finance PLC to a five wicket win over Lankem Ceylon PLC in the Final of the 14th David Pieris Group of Companies sponsored ‘DPGC’ Challenge Trophy, MCA ‘E’ division 30 over League Tournament 2016, concluded at the MCA Grounds last weekend. A 14-ball blitz, inclusive of six towering sixes by left hander, Dhanushka Dharmasiri who took the Lankem Skipper Dinesh Chandimal to the cleaners by hitting him for three successive sixes, in the 27 over, the last one being the winning runs propelled Citizens Development to emerge winners.
Dhanushka Dhamasiri remained 40 not out, as he over shadowed opener, Yohan Liyanage’s sterling performance of 65 runs in 75 balls inclusive of three sixes and three fours, to earn the Man of the Match award, adjudged by the Match Referee, Nalliah Devarajan. Earlier on, Yohan Liyanage laid the foundation with a solid 85 runs stand for the 3rd wicket in 87 balls with Sewminda Silva (22) After the departure of Yohan Liyanage, with the scoreboard reading 123 for 4 in 23.1 overs, the match tilted towards Lankem, as CDB needed 48 runs in 41 balls for victory.
From their onwards it was dare-devil, Dhanushka Dharmasiri all the way, as he hit Sapumal Tennakoon for two sixes in the 25th over, followed up with a six off Chameera Dissanayake in the 26th over and finished the game with a hat-trick of sixes off Lankem skipper Dinesh Chandimal in the 27th Over ( 176 for 5 in 26.3 overs)
Lankem who won the toss and batted, finished with a respectable 172 for 9 in 30 overs, riding on a 75 runs, 2nd wicket stand between Rukshan Weerasinghe (35) and Lisula Weerasekera (56 in 42 balls, inclusive of four sixes and two fours); the pick-of-the bowlers for CDB were Vishwa Ratnayake (6-1-23-1) and Shanil Perera (6-0-33-3). The other three special awards, based on performances in the league and K-O Stages, upto the Semi Finals went to: Best Bowler, Umayanga Premakumara from Citizens Development Business (performance – 6 matches, 25.2 overs with 25 wickets, 157 runs, with two 6 wicket hauls); Best Batsman, Pathum Madusanka from UB finance (performance – 8 innings, 510 runs inclusive of a century and 4 half centuries); Man of the Tournament, Nipuna Gamage from UB Finance (performance: 8 matches, 325 runs and 17 wickets)
Chief Scores :
Lankem Ceylon 172 for 9 (30) (Rukshan Weerasinghe 35, Lisula Weerasekera 56, Shehan Weerasinghe 17, Dinesh Chandimal 29 not out, Chameera Dissanayake 15, Shamil Perera 3/33)
Citizens Development Business 176 for 5 (26.3) (Chathuranga Dikkumbura 30, Yohan Liyanage 65, Sewminda Silva 22, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 40 not out, Sapumal Tennekoon 2/36, Chameera Dissanayake 2/33) - LR