MCA premier league K/O final on Sunday

Seylan Bank, who finished at the bottom of the league table, did well to grab a berth in the final, to meet last year's runners-up, MAS Unichela, in the 18th Singer - MCA "Centenary Year" Premier League Knock-out Tournament, on Sunday, February 6, at the Colombo Colts Cricket Club grounds commencing 10 am.

Seylan Bank on their way to the final beat John Keells (League No. 4) by 55 runs and Sampath Bank (League No. 1) by 70 runs.

League No. 2 Unichela's wins were against Janashakthi (Defending Champions and League No. 6) by 136 runs on the D and L system and HNB (League No. 3) by 32 runs on the D and L system.

In their league outing on January 5 at the BRC grounds, MAS Unichela beat Seylan Bank by 6 wickets.

Janashakthi won the last year's final, beating MAS Unichela by 2 wickets at the P Sara Oval.

For MAS Unichela, their skipper Malin Silva is in a devastating mood scoring 48 runs in 28 balls with 5 sixes and 2 fours against HNB followed by 61 not out in 24 balls with 08 sixes.

Also in topping form is their opening batsman, Mahela Udawatte, with back to back centuries, (103 Vs. Janashakthi and 103 Vs. HNB) and Malinda Warnapura, adjudged as the best batsman in the league stage.

Seylan batsmen will have to watch out for Unichela's spinner, Sohan Boralessa, who bagged 6 wkts for 9 runs against them in their league outing. Unichela will miss the services of T M Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardena, Chamara Silva and Dilhara Fernando, who are on National duty and as a stop gap, Unichela has promoted young promising batsman, Kusal Janith, who has already got into the act, with a fine 68 against HNB.

If Seylan's top order batting, Kanchana Gunawardena, Lasith Fernando, Tharanga Paranavitana, Ian Daniel and skipper, Chanaka Wijesinghe clicked as they did against Sampath Bank, the Unichela bowlers are certainly in for a leather hunt. Lasith Fernando in particular is in fine nick with 92 Vs. John Keells and 61 Vs. Sampath Bank.

Seylan Bank while looking for sweet revenge will relish this final, as they have made a come back after 2003, in which final they lost to HNB.

Singer Sri Lanka PLC is involved with the longest surviving sponsorship with MCA, which started way back in 1994. Singer, Marketing Director, Nasser Majeed and their Promotions Manager, K D S Kanishka will grace the opening ceremony, while Singer's new CEO, Asoka Peiris will be the Chief Guest at the post tournament awards presentation which will follow the final.

The Teams:

MAS Unichela (from): Malin Silva (C), Malinda Warnapura, Mahela Udawatte, Gayan Wijekoon, Shalika Karunanayake, Malinga Bandara, Chathura Peiris, Dunil Abeydeera, Farvees Maharood, Sohan Boralessa, Kusal Janith Perera, M Anjula Fernando, Lassana Perera, Rashimal Mendis and Lahiru Silva.

Seylan Bank (from): Chanaka Wijesinghe (C), Lasith Fernando, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Kanchana Gunawardena, Ian Daniel, Gayan Sirisoma, Damith Indika, Tharaka Kottahewa, Sahan Wijeratne, Nuwan Shiroman, Chamil Sumathipala, Harsha Vithana, Pradeep Chanditha, P H K Thambawita, Chanaka Vithanage and Dhammika Perera.