Zahran shines in Hirdaramani’s penultimate-ball, two-wickets win
Jubiliant Hirdaramani team celebrating victory
Mohamed Zahran, the tall lanky former Zahira College, Kuruwita, player hogged the limelight, as he propelled Hirdaramani Group (Hirdaramani) to a heart stopping two-wickets win, with a ball to spare, over favourites, Stafford Motor Co. (Staffords) in the second Commercial Credit & Finance PLC sponsored MCA ‘F’ Division 25-Over League Tournament 2017 Final at the MCA grounds.
Staffords won the toss, batted and put up a respectable 152 for 8 in 25 overs, thanks to two partnerships- an opening stand of 42 runs in 42 balls, between Kalpa Nadeesh (25) and Jayanga Peiris (39), followed by a second wicket stand of 48-runs in 60 balls, between Peiris and Asantha Singappuli (31). Hirdaramani Skipper, Krishantha Aruna (5-0-21-1), ‘golden boy’ Zahran (5-0-30-2) and Umesh Sachin (5-0-30-2) were the bowlers, who kept the ‘Honda boys’ in check.
Hirdaramani’s got off to a shaky start, losing their first three wickets within six overs at 1, 20 and 37, to opening bowler Shanaka Sampath. They managed to get back on track with a valiant 85-runs 4th wicket stand in 89 balls, between Udesh Villegoda (49 in 66 balls, 2 sixes and 2 fours) and Maheepa Madushanka (39 in 39 balls with 1 six and 4 fours). At the end of the 22nd over, the score was 120 for 4. Hirdaramani needed 33 runs in 18 balls, with Villegoda and just-in Zahran, at the wicket.
The 23rd over was bowled by Staffords’, most experienced all rounder, Asantha Singappuli. Zahran, who took over from Villegoda, hit the daylights out of Singappuli with three massive sixes in the 3rd, 4th and 5th deliveries, and a sizzling boundary in the final ball, to propel the total from 120 for 4 to 147 for 4, needing only five runs in 12 balls.
The never say die, Amila Mendis bowling the 24th over scalped two wickets fell with only one run added to the score – 148 for 6.
Came the last over bowled by Stafford’s strike bowler, Sampath. He bowled No.8 Maduranga Niroshan in his first delivery- 148 for 7 and, in the next delivery, No.9 Umesh Sachin was run out- 148 for 8.
Udesh Vilegoda in action during his innings of 49 runs. Pix by Priyantha Wickremaarachchi
In the process, Zahran managed to scramble through to the strikers end. Shanaka Sampath sent down a full toss in his third delivery which Zahran dispatched to the fence, levelling the scores at 152 each. The fourth ball was a dot ball. Zahran drove the fifth ball through mid-off to give Hirdaramani a exiting two-wicket win, as he remained unbeaten on 28 in eight balls, with 3 sixes and 3 fours. Jubilant Hirdaramani supporters invaded the field and carried Zahran off on their shoulders. Match Referee, Varuna Waragoda named Mohamed Zahran Man of the Match.
Zahran also bagged Best Bowler of the tournament (8 matches excluding the final, 32.4 overs, 156 runs 17 wickets)
Randika Perera (Textured Jersey Lanka ‘B’) won Best Batsman (7 innings 407 runs) while Kavindu Piyadasun (Asia Capital) was Man of the Tournament (5 innings, 298 runs and 14 wickets for 150 runs in 23 overs)
Mementos were presented to the only double centurion in the tournament, U.A.T. Anuruddha (Total Amber Asia Pacific)- 203 not out in 81 balls with 19 sixes, 16 fours vs Barthi Airtel and to Lasantha Kumara Bandaranayake (Access Group) for his incredible bowling performance (5-1-26-9 including a hat-trick) vs MJF Group
Awards were presented by the Chief Guest, Manager- Investment, Commercial Credit & Finance PLC Indika Jayasinghe and Manager- Card Centre, Melvin Pollocks, MCA President Niran Mahawatte, Gen Secretary Nalin Wickremesinghe and Chairman Tournament Committee Sujeewa de Silva.
Chief Scores
- Â Stafford Motors 152/8 (25 overs) (Jayanga Peiris 39, Asantha Singappuli 31, Kalpa Nadeesh 25, Rakitha Raj 25; Umesh Sachin 2/30, Mohamed Zahran 2/30)
- Hirdaramani 153/8 (24.5 overs) (Udesh Villegoda 49, Maheepa Madushanka 39, M. Zahran 28 not out, Krishantha Aruna 16, D. Thiranjan 15; Shanka Sampath 4/15, Amila Mendis 3/20)