The 24th Singer-MCA Premier League 2017 will get under way with the ‘League’ segment on Saturday, 10th September 2016 as the tournament was officially launched at a press briefing held on Wednesday at the Mercantile Cricket Association premises.
Photo Album – 24th Singer – MCA Premier League 2017 – Press Conference
The sponsorship package was handed over by Kumar Samarasinghe – Director Marketing Singer Sri Lanka PLC to Niran Mahawatte – President Mercantile Cricket Association.
With the participation of top 8 corporate teams, the ‘League’ stage will see 28 matches being played in a single group, round robin from 10th September to 1st October 2016. At the completion of the round-robin stage, the group leader will be the ‘League’ champions.
The second phase of the tournament would be the knock-out stage where the same 8 teams would compete from quarter-final stage and the grand final would take place on 23rd October. The third and final phase would be the T20 tourney which will see a T20 champion on 30th October.
“This is one of the most competitive cricket tournaments in Sri Lanka with the participation of several national stars. Last year it was badly affected by the rain but I hope this time we will see a very successful tournament. “ Niran Mahawatte said to the media.
MAS Active, the 2016 winner of the ‘League’ and ‘Knock-out’ tournament will have many national stars in their ranks and will be captained by experienced Sri Lanka Test cap, Jehan Mubarak.
Last year’s 2016 knock-out runners-up and leading contenders to the title, Commercial Credit and Finance will be led by dashing left-handed batsman Upul Tharanga.
Star-studded MAS Unichela, the triple champions in 2014 and last year’s T20 winners will have Chamara Silva at the helm while last year’s T20 runners-up, Sampath Bank will have the services of Jeewan Mendis as the captain.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ opening batsman, Madawa Warnapura will lead Hatton National Bank while another Sri Lanka ‘A’ player and former Royal College captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa will captain the strong John Keells Holdings outfit.
The new entrants to the top division, Textured Jersey, the 2016 ‘B’ division winners will have Dhammika Prasad as the captain but his presence as a bowler in the team will be highly doubtful due to his injury. Making up the 8 teams, DIMO will be led by Matheesha Perera, former Anandian left-arm spinner.
