Asalanka wins two major awards at NSL L/O tournament

Charith Asalanka won both Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament Awards at the National Super League (NSL) limited overs cricket tournament after the final between Colombo and Jaffna which the Colombo team won by 92 runs at Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Colombo team scored highest team total of 413 for 6 wickets while Jaffna team in their chase made 321 all out. Apart from Asalanka’s double century Colombo opener Avishka Fernando and Jaffna all rounder Lahiru Madushanka scored centuries in this game. The final was played under lights and both teams scored 734 runs and Sri Lanka players had good batting practice before the West Indies series which will commence fon 13th at the same venue Dambulla .

The match hero Asalanka scored his maiden double century to lead Colombo to gain this championship. The 27-year-old left hander and Sri Lanka white ball cricket skipper dominated the Colombo innings with a sparkling knock of 206 in 142 balls with 12 fours and 16 fours which is the highest individual total of the tournament as well as first double century by Asalanka in any format of cricket.

Asalanka already played list ‘A’ 130 matches with this final game he has scored 4345 runs with an average of 43.10 and also hit 11 centuries and 22 fifties to his credit. In fact his ODI highest score was 110 and T-20 International highest score was unbeaten 80.

Asalanka the skipper of Colombo has shown fine all round performance scoring 504 runs in 7 innings with an average of 84.0 and he was able to hit 3 centuries and also scored highest number of 29 sixes during this tournament.

Meanwhile Kandy team’s Ahan Wickramasinghe was named Best Batsman of the tournament having 272 runs in 4 matches with an average of 90.66. Galle team’s leg spinner Muditha Lakshan who has taken 17 wickets was named Best Bowler of the tournament. Samantha Dodanwela the tournament committee chairman of SLC was the chief guest and gave away the awards.

Source:Daily News