Fairfirst Insurance beats Maliban Biscuits in final

Fairfirst Insurance recorded a thrilling one-wicket win over Maliban Biscuits in the 31st Singer –MCA Super Premier League 2024 “Knock-Out” Tournament final concluded on Sunday at the MCA Grounds.

Maliban Biscuits sent into bat first were struggling 65 for 5 wickets at one stage with paceman Chamika Gunasekara made an early damage. However Ranesh Silva made a fighting knock of 53 in 63 balls with a four and five sixes build up their total to 160 all out in 32.1 overs. Chamika Gunasekara was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 31.

Fairfirst Insurance chasing a target of 161 runs were 117 for 5 wickets after 25 overs. Asel Sigera (29 in 36 balls) and Anuk Fernando (22 in 54 balls) put up 49 runs in 75 balls for the fifth wicket which guided them to reach their target in 34 overs with one wicket in hand. Two spinners Dushan Hemantha 3 for 50 and Dushan Vimukthi 4 for 32 were the successful bowlers of the Maliban team.

Fairfirst Insurance paceman Chamika Gunasekera was adjudged Player of the Final for his superb bowling spell.

At the post tournament presentation for the ‘League’ and the ‘Knock-out’ tournaments, awards were given away by the chief guest, Director Marketing, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, Janmesh Anthony & guest of honour Senior Manager, Promotions, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, K.D.S. Kanishka, Chandra Schaffter (the first SriLankan MCA President in 1965) and the MCA Officials, President, Mahesh de Alwis, Vice President, Sirosha Gunatillake and General Secretory, Rohan Somawansa.

MCA as a tribute to the Sri Lanka cheerleader late Percey Abeysekera, his portrait with the Sri Lanka flag in his hand was unveiled in the MCA Pavilion.

Chief Scores (final)

Maliban Biscuits – 160 all out in 32.1 overs (Sangeeth Cooray 28, Milinda Siriwardena 32, Ranesh Silva 53, Chamika Gunasekera 4/31, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/32)

Fairfirst Insurance – 161 for 09 in 34 overs ( Gaviru Senhas 23, Asel Sigera 29, Anuk Fernando 22, Dushan Vimukthi 4/32, Dushan Hemantha 3/50)

Special awards: Best Bowler : Vijayakanth Viyaskanth from BBK Partnership (14 wickets for 179 runs) Best Batsman : Minod Bhanuka from Fairfirst Insurance (309 runs in 06 matches, inclusive of his double century, 232 runs in 148 balls, with 20 sixes and 13 fours Vs. CDB Finance) Man of the Series : Chamindu Wijesinghe from HNB (176 runs and 10 wickets)

Source:Daily News