NWPCA felicitates young cricketers
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Minod Bhanuka receives his award from Head of Administration SLC Aruna de Silva
Sri Lanka cricketer Minod Bhanuka and Sri Lanka Under-19 World Cup captain Nipun Dhananjaya and other emerging cricketers were felicitated by the North Western Province Cricket Association (NWPCA) at a grand ceremony held at the Ruvisha Beach Hotel in Kochchikade.
Bhanuka, the left-handed wicketkeeper batsman and a product of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala won the Sri Lanka One Day International and Twenty20 cap against Pakistan when Sri Lanka toured last year for the first time after the famous Lahore terrorist attack.
Nipun Dhananjaya Perera brought honour to the province, leading Sri Lanka at last year’s ICC Youth World Cup held in South Africa. The left-handed top order batsman is an old boy of St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa. Apart from international cricketers, NWPCA recognised school cricketers, who crossed the 1,000-run mark and bowlers who took 100 wickets or more at the last Under-19 school cricket season.
Among the batsmen who reached 1,000-run mark were, Muditha Premadasa (Maliyadeva College), Prabuddha Premalal (Ibbagamuwa Central College) and Ayon Fernando (St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya). Sithum Akila was also feted for achieving 100 wickets during the COVID-19 curtailed school season.
Meanwhile, the North Western Province became the runners-up of the Prima All-Island Under-15 Cricket Tournament held last year. The team led by Chathumal Fernando of St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya were honoured with a trophy and cash awards for their achievement.
North Western Province Under-15 captain Chathumal Fernando receives cash award from NWPCA secretary Krishantha Kapuwatta and president Bimal Perera