The weather that stood firm in the morning , ran out of patience in the afternoon hence 02 matches out of 03 failed to go the full distance and were decided by D&L method.
The game that went the full circle between MAS Unichela Vs. DIMO @ Katunayake was an absolute thriller; DIMO desperately falling short by 09 runs.
MAS Unichela, who won the toss and batted put up a challenging 259 in 48.4 overs; Kamidu Mendis anchored the batting with a well compiled 78 not out in 72 balls inclusive of 10 fours, while skipper, Kusal Janith Perera (43) and Chamara Silva (43) made useful contributions to bluster the total.
The DIMO chase was spear headed by Ramesh Mendis (66 in 70 balls inclusive of 05 sixes & 02 fours ) & Nipun Karunanayake (54 in 79 balls with 05 fours) who were associated in a 77 runs stand in 88 balls for the 05th wicket.
Kamidu Mendis was once again real thorn in the flesh, as he stalled the DIMO run machine with a miserly spell of 10-39-01; Lahiru Madusanka (10-01-59-03) and Dilruwan Perera (10-44-02) were the other bowlers, who contributed well towards Unichela’ s close win .
The match which got top billing between the defending league winner, LB Finance and the “young guns” , SLC U-19 team, was marred by weather.
LBF who won the toss and batted came down like a ton of bricks on the youngsters, making 285 for 8 in 50 overs with Dhananja de Silva (79 in 83 balls, inclusive of 03 sixes and 08 fours ) and Shehan Jayasuriya ( 65 in 50 balls, inclusive of 05 sixes and 02 fours) in full flourish.
The SLC U-19’s, needing 286 runs to win (RPO 5.72) gave spirited chase with skipper, Nipun Dhananjaya spear heading the run chase with a sparkling 75 runs in 44 balls, hitting 05 towering sixes and 04 fours; they were 180 for 3 in 28.3 overs when the match ended prematurely , well short on the D&L par score of 253 runs.
Match Results – 03 matches
At Katunayake : MAS Unichela beat DIMO by 09 runs
MAS Unichela – 259 (48.4) (Kamindu Mendis 78*, Kusal Perera 43, Chamara Silva 43, Priyamal Perera 23, Mahela Udawaththa 22, Nisala Tharaka 3/52, Ramesh Mendis 2/31, Thikshila De Silva 2/52)
Dimo – 250/8 (50) (Ramesh Mendis 66, Nipun Karunanayake 54, Dinesh Chandimal 36, Sammu Ashan 23, Nisala Tharaka 23, Lahiru Madusanka 3/59, Dilruwan Perera 2/4
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At P. Sara Oval : John Keells beat Sampath Bank by 87 runs on the D&L method
John Keells –195 (48.2) (Ishan Jayarathne 40, Minod Banuka 37, Jehan Daniel 35, Dimuth Karunarathne 21, Jeewan Mendis 4/43, Dasun Shanaka 3/28, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/33 )
Sampath Bank – 99/9 (32) the D&L par score was 186 runs.
(Mohomed Shiraj 2/18, Ishan Jayarathne 2/19, Nuwan Pradeep 2/21 )
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At MCA : LB Finance beat Sri Lanka Cricket U-19 team by 73 runs on the D&L method
LB Finance – 285/8 (50) (Dhananjaya De Silva 79, Shehan Jayasuriya 65, Sadeera Samarawickrama 47, Lahiru Udara 31, Anjelo Perera 30, Yasiru Rodrigo 2/50, Rohan Sanjaya 2/51, Dilshan Madushanka 2/53 )
Sri Lanka Under 19s –180/3 (28.3) D&L par score was 253 runs
(Nipun Dhananjaya 75, Avishka Perera 21, Isuru Udana 2/17, Kavishka Dilshan 2/30, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/36, Dhananjaya De Silva 2/42)
The tournament will be continued on 15th ,17th & 19th October with a card of 09 matches.