MAS Unichela last year’s runner up and giant killers Seylan Bank will battle in the final showdown of the 18th Singer – MCA Centenary Year Premier League knockout tournament scheduled to be played at the Colts ground from 10.00 a.m. today.On paper MAS Unichela led by Malin Silva go out as favourites to take the title which eluded them last year when they lost to Janashakthi in the final.
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| Chanaka Wijesinghe |
Seylan Bank led by Chanaka Wijesinghe on the other hand will have to come into the game with a positive approach as they have undergone a six wicket defeat when the two teams met in the league encounter few weeks ago.
MAS Unichela who finished second in the league tournament in their run up to the final secured wins over defending champions Janashakthi by 136 runs on the D/L method and against HNB also on the D/L method by 32 runs.
Seylan Bank who finished in the bottom of the table in the league put a giant killing effort and qualified to the final with wins over John Keells by 55 runs and league champions Sampath Bank by 70 runs.
Nevertheless the two sides are oozing with talented cricketers as MAS Unichela though they will be missing the services of T.M. Dilshan, Chamara Silva and Dilhara Fernando who are on national duty but possess players in the caliber of Mahela Udawatte, who cracked two tons, Malinda Warnapura the best batsman in the league tournament, Kusal Janith and skipper Malin to steer them.
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| Malin Silva |
Their bowling department will be spearheaded by the league tournament’s best bowler Sohan Boralessa with Farveez Maharoof, Shalika Karunanayake, Malinga Bandara and Dunil Abeydeera to support.
Seylan Bank will be hoping that Lasith Fernando make a repeat performance which he did against Sampath Bank and with Tharanga Paranavithana, Ian Daniel, Sahan Wijeratne, Kanchana Gunawardena, skipper Chanaka and Kaushalya Weeraratne in their ranks they could be a threat to their opponents.
Of course their bowlers spearheaded by Tharaka Kottehewa along with Gayan Sirisoma and Kaushalya Weeraratne along with their make shift changes will have a real challenge to restrict the strong batting of their opponents.
Likewise who ever wins it will be the first time that they will be laying their hands on the knockout title. MAS Unichela the losing finalist last year and Seylan Bank was the losing finalist to HNB in 2003.
The Teams:
MAS Unichela – Malin Silva (Capt), Malinda Warnapura, Mahela Udawatte, Gayan Wijekoon, Farveez Maharoof, Shalika Karunanayake, Malinga Bandara, Chathura Peiris, Dunil Abeydeera, Sohan Boralessa, Kusal Janith, Manjula Fernando, Lassana Perera, Rashimal Mendis, Lahiru Silva.
Seylan Bank – Chanaka Wijesinghe (Capt), Lasith Fernando, Tharanga Paranavithana, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Ian Daniel, Kanchana Gunawardena, Gayan Sirisoma, Damith Indika, Tharaka Kottehewa, Sahan Wijeratne, Nuwan Shiroman, Chamil Sumathipala, Harsha Vithana, Pradeep Chanditha, Chanaka Vithanage, Dhammika Perera, Hasanjith Thambawita. |
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