Seylan Bank clinch title

Chris Dhambarage

Half centuries from skipper Chanaka Wijesinghe (51) and Tharanga Paranavithana (52) helped Seylan Bank beat MAS Unichela by three wickets in the Singer MCA Centenary Year Premier League knock out cricket tournament final encounter worked off at the Colts ground in Havelock Park yesterday.

The pair also figured in a match winning fifth wicket partnership of 85 runs as Seylan Bank overtook their opponent’s total of 199 runs with three wickets and seven deliveries to spare.

Earlier skipper Malin Silva hit an unbeaten century to lift MAS Unichela to 199 for 8 from their 50 overs after they had slumped to 38 for 7 at one stage.

Malin Silva hoisted five sixes and struck eight boundaries while putting on 132 runs for the unfinished ninth wicket along with Dunil Abeydeera.

Fast bowler Kaushalya Weeraratne did the damage while capturing four wickets for 50 runs to clinch the Man of the Final award. Saman Jayantha of Hatton National Bank was named Man of the Series.

In addition Malintha Warnapura and Sohan Boraless both from MAS Unichela were named as the Best Batsman and Best Bowler respectively.

MAS Unichela: 199 for 8 in 50 overs (M. Silva 100 n.o, D. Abeydeera 40 n.o, K. Weeraratne 4 for 50, T. Kottahewa 3 for 48).

Seylan Bank: 202 for 7 in 48.5 overs (L. Fernando 40, T. Paranavithana 52, C. Wijesinghe 51, K. Weeraratne 30 n.o, S. Boralessa 2 for 34, M. Bandara 2 for 40).