HNB Finance took sweet revenge over Sri Lanka Telecom with a comprehensive 91 runs win in the final, as they took charge of the brand new ‘NDB’ Challenge Trophy, in the first National Development Bank PLC. Sponsored, MCA ‘C’ division 50 Over (white ball) league Tournament 2020, concluded on March 7 at the MCA grounds.
When the two teams met each other earlier on in the round –robin stage, Sri Lanka Telecom convincingly beat HNB Finance by 04 wickets.
SLT won the toss and put HNB Finance to bat. SLT opening bowlers Ian Devin and Sachin Devangana bowled with a lot of purpose and shackled the HNB Finance top order batsmen.
Opening batsman, Kasun Ekanayake had to retire hurt after hit by a bouncer and captain, Heshitha Gamage (No.3) was out cheaply for four runs.
Slow and painfully, HNB Finance tackled the SLT attack by some sensible batting via Muditha Fernando (46 in 72 balls, inclusive of 06 fours) and Vindika Chandrasiri (41 in 56 balls with 01 six and 04 fours), who put on 90 runs in 116 balls, for the second wicket.
By the 25th over, HNB Finance was 113 for 3. Their innings was further consolidated by useful contributions made by their middle order batsmen, Sanoj Dharshika (56 in 68 balls with 03 fours), Thushara Fernando (24) and Janith Perera (24), as they finished with a challenging total of 263 for 9 in 50 overs. SLT’s left arm leg spinner, Inshanka Siriwardena bowled his heart out to bag 5 for 47 in his 10 overs.
Both teams were depleted losing some of their top players, who opted to play for their clubs. HNB Finance was minus their centurion in the semifinals, Pathum Mendis and their bowling star, Umeshka Morais. SLT missed their inform batsman, Adeesha Thilakshana and all rounder, Damitha Silva.
SLT started off badly losing 03 wickets for 50 runs in 10 overs. They got back on track with two solid partnerships, both involving Nimesh Mendis bating at No. 5 (56 in 45 balls, inclusive of 03 sixes and 06 fours) – 45 runs in 38 balls for the fourth wicket with opener, Sachin Divangana (27) and 51 runs in 48 balls for 5th wicket with Anjan Marran (08 in 32 balls).
HNB Finance opening bowler, Ayesh Madushanka coming back for his second spell in the 21st over, made the vital break through getting the wicket of Nimesh Mendis (145 for 5 in 24.3 overs). After the exit of Nimesh Mendis, the rest fell like nine pins, being all out for 172 runs in 34.1 overs.
The chief wrecker was spinner Tharusha Fernando (replacement for Umeshka Morais ), who finished with most impressive figures of 6.1-13-05, which earned him the Man of the Match award, picked by the Match Referee, Thusitha Karunaratne.
The other three awards based on performances up to the semi finals went to Umeshka Morais from HNB Finance / Best Bowler (06 matches, 54 overs,159 runs , 16 wickets); Sandaru Chanditha Wickramaratne. from PABC Bank / best batsman (04 innings, 249 runs, with 01 century and 01 half century, Avg.62.25) and Gimhan Ashirvada from Commercial Bank/ Man of the series (169 runs and 11 wickets for 175 runs).
Chief Scores
HNB Finance – 263 for 9 in 50 overs (Kasun Ekanayake 19, Muditha Fernando 46, Vindaka Chandrasiri 41, Sanoj Dharshika 56, Tharusha Fernando 24, Janith Perera 24, Nipun Lakshan 18, Inshaka Siriwardena 5/47)
Sri Lanka Telecom – 172 all out in 34.1 overs (Sachin Divangana 27, Nimesh Mendis 56, Inshaka Siriwardena 21, Ayesh Madushanka 2/29, Tharusha Fernando 5/13)
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