The much-anticipated AIA Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16 commenced on Tuesday with four games being worked out at R. Premadasa Stadium and P. Sara Oval grounds.
Despite the rain hurting the Premier Limited Overs Tournament badly, the T20 tournament got underway on a rather hot & sunny day.
CCC vs Tamil Union
Ramith Rambukwella’s blistering 30-ball 70 was not enough for Tamil Union as CCC registered a 16-run win at P. Sara oval grounds.
Photo Album – CCC v Tamil Union – Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16
After opting to bat first, CCC managed to post 164 in their allotted 20 overs. Hasitha Wickramasinghe and Sachith Pathirana top-scored with 34 each for the club from Maitland Crescent.
CCC opening bowlers, Andy Solomons and Thilina Thushara bagged 3 wickets apiece as Tamil Union were in dire-straits at 48 for 6 but Rambukwella and Jeewan Mendis gave some hope for the home team even though they were bowled out with 22 balls to spare.
CCC – 164/8 in 20 overs: Sachith Pathirana 34, Hasitha Wickramasinghe 34*, Woshantha Silva 32, Charith Jayampathi 2/40, Dhananjaya De Silva 2/10.
Tamil Union – 148 all out in 16.2 overs: Jeewan Mendis 41, Ramith Rambukwella 70, Thilina Thushara 3/8, Andy Solomons 3/13.
SSC vs Moors
Experienced seamer Dilhara Fernando picked up 4 scalps as SSC defeated a strong Moors outfit by 31 runs at P. Sara Oval grounds.
Photo Album – SSC Vs Moors – Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16
SSC fielded a young team led by Dasun Shanaka as most of their players are on national duty. They made 157 from their 20 overs courtesy top-notch knocks by Ramesh Mendis (48 in 38 balls) and Vishwa Wijeratne (30 in 30 balls). Moors failed to chase down the score despite a whirlwind knock of 67 in 41 balls by Dilhara Lokuhettige.
SSC – 157/7 in 20 overs: Vishwa Wijeratne 30, Minod Bhanuka 25, Ramesh Mendis 48*, Chathuranga De Silva 2/26.
Moors – 126/9 in 20 overs: Dilhara Lokuhettige 67, Dilhara Fernando 4/19, Kasun Madusanka 3/19.
Chilaw Marians vs Badureliya
Off-spinner Sahan Wijeratne’s excellent bowling performance of 5 for 21 helped Badureliya CC beat Chilaw Marians CC convincingly by 45 runs at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Photo Album – Chilaw Marians v Badureliya – Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16
The defending champions, Badureliya batting first made a reasonable 149 as Sahan Wijeratne and Nadeera Nawala contributed with 34 and 38 respectively. Saliya Saman and Maduka Liyanapathiranage took 3 wickets apiece. Chilaw Marians were in severe trouble as they were bowled out for 104 after being 39 for 7. Off-spinner Sahan grabbed 5 wickets for 21 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Badureliya – 149/9 in 20 overs: Imesh Udayanga 20, Nadeera Nawala 38, Sahan Wijeratne 34, Saliya Saman 3/19, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 3/25.
Chilaw Marians – 104 all out in 17 overs: Akalanka Ganegama 25, Lahiru Gamage 25, Sahan Wijeratne 5/21, Shanaka Silva 2/24.
Colts vs SL Ports Authority
The 20-year old Harsha Rajapaksha slammed an unbeaten 66 as Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club defeated a strong Colts CC unit by 8 wickets at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Photo Album – Colts v SL Ports Authority – Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16
SL Ports Authority restricted their counterparts to only 122 from their 20 overs. Akila Dhananjaya top-scored with 28 while left-arm seamer Chaminda Bandara picked up 3 wickets. One drop batsman Harsha made 8 fours and a six during his 62-ball knock of 66 as SL Ports Authority chased down the target with 17 balls to spare.
Colts – 122/9 in 20 overs: Shehan Jayasuriya 19, Akila Dhananjaya 28, Pasindu Isira 19, Chaminda Bandara 3/24, AK Tyronne 2/24.
SL Ports – 125/2 in 17.1 overs: Harsha Rajapaksha 66*, Tharaka Waduge 27, Ashan Priyanjan 20*.
