Sun shone for Unichela on that day
Chamara Silva
Chamara Silva leading from the front to score a captain’s knock enabled League winner, MAS Unichela to a convincing 23-runs win on the D&L method over Commercial Credit & Finance PLC in the 24th Singer-MCA Premier League 2017 – ‘Knock-Out’ Tournament Final, at the MCA Grounds.
The match got off to a delayed start (at 1.00pm) due to rain and was reduced to a 32-overs a side game.
MAS Unichela, sent into bat on a lively wicket and was shackled by medium pacer, Kavinda Silva, who made early inroads, getting rid of inform batsman, Rashmika Opatha (1) and Mahela Udawatte (6) showing the scoreboard at 17 for 2; T.M. Dilshan (5) fell cheaply trying to go after the bowling (46 for 3):
Ramith Rambukwella, promoted as an opener held up one end with a brisk 31 runs in 25 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours until he was bowled neck and crop by Suraj Randive (47 for 4); Farveez Mahroof (8) fell by the way side, as Unichela hit the ropes – 59 for 5
The rescue act was performed by, Skipper Chamara Silva (99 in 70 balls, inclusive of 6 sixes and an equal number of fours) and Chathura Peiris (35 in 36 balls with 2 sixes and 2 fours), as they put on 85 runs for the 6th wicket (143 for 6).
Silva further consolidated the innings with a 67 runs stand for the 7th wicket with Thilaksha Sumanasiri (27) ( (210 for 7) and finally 35 runs for 8th wicket with Lahiru Jayarathne (17) to finish with a challenging total of 246 for 8 in 32 overs (RPO 7.69)
Skipper, Upul Tharanga spearheaded the Commercial Credit run chase, after the early dismissal of his opening partner Dilhan Cooray (9); Tharanga (45 in 42 balls, including of 2 sixes and 5 fours) with Ashan Priyanjana (22) set the pace, as they put on 40 runs for the 2nd wicket in 41 balls; Tharanga unfortunately got stranded in the middle off a direct hit from Thilaksha Sumanasiri (67 for 2).
At the fall of the 3rd wicket at 93, that of Priyanjana, Chamara Kapugedara strode in and entertained the crowd with fire-ball half century (50 in 27 balls inclusive of 3 sixes and 4 fours)
2015 MCA Premier League ‘Emerging Player ‘ Chathuranga De Silva, (13) who won the MCA scholarship to Australia, departed playing an irresponsible shot with the board reading 131 for 4 in 19.1 overs.
Chamara Kapugedara went hammer and tongs in the 20th over hitting Lahiru Jayarathne for 18 runs; as the match got constituted (149 for 4) the light was dipping with Commercial Credit slightly behind the D&L par score of 151.
Wanidu Hasaranga (7) in desperation payed the penalty for playing a bad shot putting a lot of pressure on Chamara Kapugedara, as the D&L shot up to 165 against the current score of 157 for 5 in 21 overs.
The 22nd over was bowled by Ishara Amarasinghe (3-0-17-2) who nailed the issue bagging the price scalp of Kapugedara (158 for 6)
As Farveez Maharoof send down 2 deliveries in the 23rd over, the umpires Ravindra Wimalasiri and Chaminda Hathurusinghe suspended play for bad light at 5.33 pm with 9.4 overs remaining.
The light did not recover and the umpires with the consent of the captains decided to call off play, Commercial Credit way behind the D&L par score of 182.
Match referee, Basil Perera adjudged the Unichela captain, Chamara Silva as his Man-of-the-match.
The other three special awards, based on performances in the League Stage went to Dhanushka Gunathilake from MAS Unichela (Best Batsman and Man-of-the-Series) while young up and coming fast bowler of John Keells, Vikum Bandara was adjudged the Best Bowler.The awards for the League and Knock-out were presented by Janaka Mendis, Credit Director (Chief Guest) and KDS Kanishka, Senior Manager Promotions (Guest-of -Honour) both from the Singer Sri Lanka PLC and MCA officials, Niran Mahawatte, Nalin Wickremasinghe and Sujeewa de Silva.
Chief Scores
MAS Unichela – 246/8 (32) (Ramith Rambukwella 31, Chamara Silva 99, Chathura Peiris 35, Thilaksha Sumanasiri 27, Lahiru Jayarathne 17, Kavinda Silva 2/32)
Commercial Credit – 159 for 6 (22.2) when bad light halted play. (Upul Tharanga 45, Ashan Priyanjana 22, Chamara Kapugedara 50, Ishara Amarasinghe 2/17)