Unichela - Janashakthi in MCA Premier final

Media Release

Unichela entered the final of the Singer MCA Premier League knockout tourney for the first time while Janashakthi, made their way to after 2004 which is to be worked off on Sunday, at the P. Sara Oval, commencing 10.00 am. It is recalled that in 2004 , when Janashakthi entered the final for the first time, lost to Sampath Bank at the Moratuwa Stadium. In the last year's final, Sampath Bank beat East West Marketing by 49-runs at the P. Sara Oval.

The Knock-out segment of the Premier League is held for the 10th year (since 2001), HNB has won the title five times, Sampath Bank four times, Seylan Bank and Ceylinco Fingara once each. There was joint championship between HNB and Sampath Bank in 2006.

The Quarter finals and the semi finals of the tournament, were concluded last week-end, highlighted by three centuries scored by Ian Daniel from Seylan Bank (169 vs. HNB) Mahela Udawatte from Unichela (144 vs. J.Keells) and T.M. Dilshan from Unichela (100 vs. Sampath Bank )

Janashakthi entered the final beating Seylan Bank by six wickets on the D&L system, while Unichela, riding on a gutsy century by T.M. Dilshan knocked out the current league winner and defending K/O winner, Sampath Bank by 10 runs on the D&L system.

Both semi finals, played last Sunday had a premature ending, due to bad light. Unichela, led by 'Big Burly', Malin Silva looks an awesome side, as it includes seven Sri Lanka national players, namely T.M. Dilshan, Mahela Udawatte, Malinda Warnapura, Prasanna Jayawardena, Gayan Wijekoon, Farveez Maharoof and Malinga Bandara.

Unichela in the quarter final beat John Keells quite easily by 59 runs on the D&L system with Mahela Udawatte, playing his first game for his team racking a swashbuckling144 runs. Udawatte's fire-cracker innings gave Unichela a daunting 333 for 7 in 50 overs. Janashakthi, led by 'Mr. Reliable', Muditha Maduwantha has a well balanced side, packed with 'Young-guns', Bathiya Perera, Sachitra Serasinghe, Sachith Pathirana, T.M. Sampath and Dilshan Munaweera. The presence of Sajith Fernando adds a lot of flavor into the Janashakthi side.Janashakthi will definitely hold the advantage, as they are playing on their home turf.

The 17 year old Singer sponsorship is the longest standing in the MCA cricketing history.

Sunday's battle between the star -studded, Unichela and tactical Janashakthi is assured to give the fans a good game of rich wholesome Cricket.

There will be an impressive opening ceremony prior to commencement of the final attended by Singer, Marketing Director, Nasser Majeed and Senior Manager Merchandising and Promotions, Asantha Karunaratne. Singer Chairman, Hemaka Amarasuriya will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.