Debutants DIMO had a surprise up their sleeve
Sampath Bank's Primosh Perera pulls - Pic by Ranjith Perera
Debutantes DIMO made their first appearance in the MCA Division ‘A’ Premier League a historic one, with a crushing 6-wicket win against defending League and Knockout champions MAS Active on the opening day of the high-profile cricket competition for inter-corporates at the FTZ ground in Katunayake yesterday. MAS Active, led by Sri Lanka cap Jehan Mubarak, could not settle in as they hoped after leg-spinner Pulina Tharanga and fast bowler Thikshila de Silva grabbed three wickets each to trouble the defending title holders before Jason Perera joined in to further push them towards a low total claiming two wickets. Opener Andy Solomon was the top scorer for MAS while skipper Mubarak hit a timely knock of 21.
Opener Hashan Dumindu carried his bat with an unbeaten knock of 52 while DIMO lost four wickets on their way to victory. Supporting him was Ramesh Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 26. Dumindu and Mendis shared an unbroken partnership of 34 runs for the fifth wicket. The second team to debut to the top league, Textured Jersey however could not taste success despite making a challenging total, as Sampath Bank raced to victory by 4 wickets with 34 deliveries to spare at the Surrey Village in Maggona. National cap Milinda Siriwardana hammered 130 off 109 deliveries inclusive of eight fours and six sixes, but had to end up in the losing side. He was well supported by Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper Charith Asalanka, who hit 40, and Minod Bhanuka and Nipuna Kariyawasam, who hit identical knocks of 26 each.
Sampath Bank skipper Jeewan Mendis, who contributed with 26 with the bat, captured four wickets. Sampath Bank batsmen raced gradually towards victory despite losing wickets at intervals, mainly due to the contribution of Romesh Bhuddika who hit an unbeaten knock of 90 off 78 deliveries with six fours and five sixes. Sameen Kandanarachchi made 42 while Dasun Shanaka hit 33. The competition will continue today with MAS Unichela set to take on HNB at the P. Sara Oval and Commercial Credit and Finance slotted to meet John Keells at the De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa. The League Stage, consisting of 28 matches, will end on October 1. At Surrey Village: Sampath Bank beat Textured Jersey by 4 wickets
Textured Jersey 262 all out (49.1) (Milinda Siriwardana 130, Minod Bhanuka 26, Charith Asalanka 40, Nipuna Kariyawasam 26, Jeewan Mendis 4/24, Nuwan Perera 2/51, Kasun Rajitha 2/71) Sampath Bank 263 for 6 wickets (44.2) (Sammen Kandanarachchi 42, Dinuk Wickramanayake 23, Dasun Shanaka 33, Jeewan Mendis 26, Romesh Buddhika 90n.o, Chalana de Silva 2/48) At FTZ Katunayake: DIMO beat MAS Active by 6 wickets MAS Active 116 all out (27.1) (Andy Solomon 29, Jehan Mubarak 21, Sameera Soyza 19, Pulina Tharanga 3/5, Thikshila de Silva 3/23, Jason Perera 2/20) DIMO 118 for 4 wickets (33.4) (Hashan Dumindu 52n.o, Ramesh Mendis 26n.o, Lakkana Jayasekara 21, Rajitha Senanayake 2/49)