Newcomers LB Finance enter final in ‘Super’ fashion
LB Finance (LBF) in their maiden appearance in the Premier League, eliminated the star studded, TM Dilshan’s MAS Intimates Unichela [Unichela (League Winner)], and entered the final of the 25th Singer MCA Premier League Knockout (KO) Tournament 2018.
The top half semifinal at the MCA on Wednesday, went into overtime, as the match ended in a 201-all ‘Tie’ and was decided on a ‘Super Over’ contest.
Farveez Maharoof bowled first for Unichela, LBF- 11/1. LBF part time bowler Shan Arachchige bowled 5 balls and gave away only 2 runs while bagging both wickets to fall. Unichela- 2/2.
LBF, chasing a moderate 202 runs in 50 overs, at one stage was looking down the barrel 167/9. The last pair of Shiran Fernando (21) and Rajeewe Weerasinghe held on grimly, putting on 34 runs and tying the game in the process, hence, forcing the ‘Super Over’. In the bottom half semifinal played on the same day at NCC, Teejay Lanka (League No.6), too created an upset when they defeated Commercial Credit & Finance (League No.2) by 4 wickets, to make date with LBF in the Final.
Scores
1st Semifinal at MCA:
LB Finance beat MAS Intimates Unichela in the Super Over by 9 runs, as scores were tied at 201 at the end of 50 overs
MAS Unichela 201 in 48.2 overs (Chamara Silva 55, Niroshan Dickwella 28, Kusal Janith 27, T.M. Sampath 21; Anjelo Perera 3/42, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 3/49, Shiran Fernando 2/8)
LB Finance 201in 29.4 overs (Priyamal Perera 46, Charith Sudharaka 45, Anushka Perera 24, Lakshan Rodrigo 22, Shiran Fernando 21; Duvindu Tillakaratne 3/33, Dilruwan Perera 2/27, Ishara Amerasinghe 2/36, Sahan Nanayakkara 2/62 )
2nd Semifinal at NCC:
Teejay Lanka beat Commercial Credit & Finance by 4 wickets
Commercial Credit & Finance 156 in 45.5 overs (Akeel Inham 38, Jehan Mubarak 32, Dilhan Cooray 25; Chalana de Silva 3/21, Lasith Malinga 2/19, Sachithra Senanayake 2/36)
Teejay Lanka 161 for 6 in 33 overs (Shalika Karunanayake 60 n.o., Sachithra Senanayake 36, Chalana de Silva 25 n.o.; Suranga Shalinda 2/18, Praneeth Wijesena 2/20, Lahiru Madushanka 2/39 )
The final between LB Finance & Teejay Lanka will commence at 10.00am today, Oct.29, at the MCA Grounds.