Dilshan pilots Basnahira to victory

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lanka captain Tillekeratne Dilshan starred with bat and ball as Basnahira Province pulled off a rousing ten wicket victory over Kandurata Province in their SLC Inter Provincial Twenty20 cricket tournament match worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Dilshan snapped up three wickets for 23 runs to dismiss Kandurata Province for 120 runs and then hit an unbeaten half century as Basnahira reached their target with six overs to spare.

The dashing right hander was in tremendous form as he hoisted two sixes and struck seven boundaries during his unbeaten 56 from just 34 deliveries.

He was also associated in an unfinished opening stand of 121 runs with Dilshan Munaweera who struck an unbeaten 57 from 51 balls inclusive of one six and six boundaries.

Earlier Dilshan captured three key wickets while paceman Ishara Amarasinghe took four wickets for 18 to help Basnahira Province dismiss Kandurata province for 120 runs.

Middle order batsman Chanaka Wijesinghe hit a top score of 42 from 49 deliveries inclusive of two sixes and two boundaries.

Kandurata Province: 120 in 19.4 overs (C. Wijesinghe 42, F. Maharoof 23, I. Amarasinghe 4 for 18, D. Perera 2 for 22, T. Dilshan 3 for 23).

Basnahira Province: 121 for no loss in 14.1 overs (D. Munaweera 57 n.o, T. Dilshan 56 n.o)

Ruhuna triumph

Sri Lanka off spinner Suraj Randiv captured three wickets for 8 runs as Ruhuna Province defeated Combined Province by 84 runs in their SLC Inter Provincial cricket tournament match worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

The Combined Province team was bowled out for just 90 runs from 13 overs while chasing Ruhuna Province total of 174 for 9 in 20 overs.

Ruhuna Province: 174 for 9 in 20 overs (S. Jayasuriya 44, M. Udawatte 21, D. Chandimal 26, S. Pathirana 2 for 17, J. Mendis 3 for 16).

Combined Province: 90 in 13 overs (C. Welagedera 2 for 13, S. Randiv 3 for 8, C. Perera 3 for 12).