HSBC 'C', PABC in final

Achala Ramanayeka

A magnificent century by opening batsman, Amila Ranga Ratnayake (101 runs in 94 balls, inclusive of five fours and six sixes) propelled HSBC 'C' to a four run win over the fancied ACL Group, in the MCA Division 'G' 30 overs League cricket Tournament semi-final at the MCA ground on Sunday.

The match went to the wire, as ACL Group chasing a victory target of 178 runs in 30 overs, fell inches away from the post, with in-form batsman Kavinda Sirimanne scoring a valiant 91 runs in 85 balls including 13 fours and 01 six.

Ratnayake, after his match winning century went on to rub salt in the ACL wound by capturing 3 for 19 in 06 overs.

In the top half Semi Final: played on Saturday, PABC Bank bowlers Praveen Fernando (3 for 18) and S. Wijeratne (3 for 18) demolished Aqua Dynamics for 98 runs in just 20.3 overs, thus winning by a comfortable by margin of 53 runs.

The two Banks, PABC Bank and HSBC Bank 'C' will now meet in the Final of the tournament on August 22 at the MCA Grounds.

Match Results:

First Semi Final: PABC Bank beat Aqua Dynamics by 53 runs.

PABC : 151 for 9 in 30 overs (O. Seneviratne 30, D. Malinda 4/14)

Aqua Dynamics: 98 in 20.3 overs (K. Maduranga 20, Praveen Fernando 3/18, S. Wijeratne

3/18, S. Cooray 2/8, A. Mendis 2/25)

Second Semi Final: HSBC 'C' beat ACL Group by 04 runs

HSBC 'C: 177 for 6 in 30 overs (Amila Ranga Ratnayake 101, S. Samarasinghe 41, Kavinda Sirimanne 2/4)

ACL Group: 173 for 8 in 30 overs (Kavinda Sirimanne 91, D. Dushantha 42, Amila Ranga Ratnayake 3/19)