MCA Cricket: Charith steers Asia Asset to Division 'C' title

A gallant 95 runs for the eight wicket by Charith Rajapakshe (70*) and D.S. Hettiarachchi (28*) guided Asia Asset Finance for a three wicket victory over Pyramid Wilmer to emerge winners in the BMW-Hydundai-MCA 'C' Division 50 Over League cricket tournament final match at the MCA ground in Colombo. 

Taking first lease of the wicket Pyramid Wilmer helped by three good knocks by Lasith Fernando (57), Mishen Silva (55) and Brian Paul (49*) scored 200 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. 

Fernando scored a run a ball half century while Silva's 55 came off 75 deliveries including three sixes and an equal number of boundaries. 

Silva and Paul were associated in a 79 run partnership for the 6th wicket to pull the side out of danger when they were in trouble with half of the side out for 54 runs. 

Asia Asset chasing a victory target of 200 were in deep trouble with seven wickets down for 106 off 24.2 overs. 

With the first seven wickets falling in regular intervals, a victory was out of their sight till Rajapakshe joined by Hettiarachchi. 

While Rajapakshe doing the bulk of scoring Hettiarachchi kept his end going, supporting the top scorer. 

Both of them carried the partnership till they reached the winning target without separation. 

Rajapakshe's fighting innings came off 74 deliveries with two hits over the ropes and six hits to the boundary. 

Hettiarachchi faced 53 deliveries for his unbeaten 28. 

Pyramid Wilmer 200 for 9 wickets (50) (Lasith Fernando 57, Mishen Silva 55, Brian Paul 49n.o, Nimesh Perera 2/27, Charith Rajapakshe 2/49) 

Asia Asset Finance 201 for 7 wickets (42.5) (Charith Rajapakshe 70n.o, Nimesh Perera 36, D.S. Hettiarachchi 28n.o, Ashen Warnakulasuriya 3/35)