Colombo roll over Jaffna as Asalanka blasts 206

Skipper Charith Asalanka played a stunning knock of 206 from 142 balls, smashing 12 fours and 16 sixes, as Colombo triumphed over Jaffna by 92 runs in the National Super League (NSL) Limited Overs Day/Night Final at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Asalanka’s career-best knock was the highest individual score in the tournament, giving him solid practice ahead of the West Indies series. Opener Avishka Fernando added 126 off 113 balls (10 fours and 6 sixes), while Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten 39 from 18 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes. Their combined efforts helped Colombo post the tournament’s highest team total of 413 for 6 wickets in 50 overs.

Jaffna, chasing a daunting target of 414, managed to reach 321 before being bowled out in 47.1 overs. All-rounder Lahiru Madushanka scored 104 off 86 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes, while Ron Chandragupta chipped in with 56 off 53 balls (10 fours). Dilum Sudeera led the bowling attack for Colombo, taking 3 wickets for 53 runs. Asalanka, Shanaka, and Nuwan Thushara each grabbed two wickets.

Charith Asalanka was named Player of the Final and the top batsman of the tournament. He scored 504 runs in 7 matches, averaging 84.0, with 3 centuries, including a double century. Leg-spinner Dilum Sudeera was the leading wicket-taker, with 20 wickets in 9 matches.

Chief scores

Colombo 413 for 6 wickets in 50 overs (Avishka Fernando 126,Charith Asalanka 206, Nuwanidu Fernando 20, Dasun Shanaka 39*, Matheesha Pathirana 2/85, Lahiru Madushanka 2/77)

Jaffna 321 in 47.1 overs (Sandun Weerakkody 13, Ron Chandragupta 56, Janith Liyanage 16, Mohammed Shamaz 49, Lahiru Madushanka 104, Ranmith Jayasena 22, Isitha Wijesundara 19, Jeffrey Vandersay 17, Nuwan Thushara 2/62, Dilum Sudeera 3/53, Dasun Shanaka 2/67, Charith Asalanka 2/51).