Basnahira snatch thrilling win

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Basnahira Province snatched a thrilling one run victory over the Combined Province team in their SLC Inter Provincial Twenty20 cricket tournament match worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

After they were bowled out for 138 runs, Basnahira Province came back strongly through their bowlers to reduce their opponents to 137 for 8 from their 20 overs.

Skipper Jeevan Mendis hit a top score of 40 not out from 28 deliveries with the help of four boundaries but fell short by just one run at the end. Dilruwan Perera was the unlikely hero for Basnahira Province with three important wickets.

Earlier Jeevan Mendis captured three wickets for 22 to dismiss Basnahira Province for 138 runs after they had won the toss and elected to bat first. Chinthaka Jayasinghe hit a superb 41 from 29 balls inclusive of two sixes and three boundaries.

Basnahira Province: 138 in 19.2 overs (S. Jayantha 36, C. Jayasinghe 41, D. Lokuhettige 2 for 25, J. Mendis 3 for 22)

Combined Province: 137 for 8 in 20 overs (R. Kavinga 20, G. Rupasinghe 31, J. Mendis 40 n.o, S. Pathirana 23, D. Perera 3 for 14)