The Colombo Vikings were crowned Colombo District Cricket Association Under 21 cricket champions after the month-long inter-zonal tourney ended on July 1st at Moors grounds.
The Vikings were emerged as champions after winning one game outright and two games on first innings. The final game was played between Colombo Vikings and Colombo Eagles.
After winning the toss and batting first, Vikings made 319 for 9 in their allotted 60 overs. They were 183 for 9 when Shehan Sandaruwan and Malik Peiris added a stunning 136-run unbroken stand for the last wicket. The former Nalandian Peiris blasted 3 fours and 6 sixes in his brilliant knock of 83 while his partner-in-crime, Shehan Sandaruwan stroked 64 with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Earlier opener Woshantha Silva made a quick-fire 47-ball 83. Double-armed spinner Tharindu Rathnayake bowled exceedingly well for the Eagles capturing eight of the nine wickets to fall in Vikings innings.
The Eagles in their chase made only 250 for 9 in 60 overs. They were 120 for 6 at one stage but Helakamal Nanayakkara and Lanka Madumal struck fighting half-tons but their efforts went in vain as they 70 runs short of the target. Off-spinner Malinga De Silva captured 6 wickets for 82.
The Vikings in their second essay were 75 for 4 when bad light brought a premature end to the game.
The Colombo Vikings were led by former under 19 batsman and Thurstan College skipper, Kavindu Kulasekara. The exciting tournament was marred by rain most of the times and according to a senior CDCA official they will be looking to conduct this tournament in a major scale from next year.
Colombo Vikings (1st inn) – 319/9 in 60 overs: Malik Peiris 83*, Woshantha Silva 83, Shehan Sandaruwan 64*, Lahiru Jayakoddy 39, Tharindu Rathnayake 8/119.
Colombo Eagles (1st inn) – 250/9 in 60 overs: Nipuna Gamage 47, Lanka Madumal 61, Helakamal Nanayakkara 55, Malinga De Silva 6/82.
Colombo Vikings (2nd inn) – 75/4 in 20.3 overs: Minhaj Jalil 45, Umeshka Morais 2/15.
Individual Awards
Best Batsman of the Tournament – Minhaj Jalil (Colombo Vikings) – 227 runs.
Best Bowler of the Tournament – Tharindu Rathnayake (Colombo Eagles) – 18 wickets.
Player of the Tournament – Malinga De Silva (Colombo Vikings) – 20 wickets
