Fairfirst Insurance crowned champions of MCA Premier League 2022 as they beat Maliban Biscuit Manufactories by 2 wickets in the final of the tournament held on 30th July at MCA Grounds.
A fighting run a ball, 75 runs partnership for the 07 wicket between Anuk Fernando (74 not out in 89 balls, inclusive of a six and 06 fours) & Koshan Abeywickrama (50 in 36 balls, inclusive of 04 sixes and 01 four) guided Fairfirst Insurance to the title victory. The tournament was sponsored by the National Development Bank (NDB).
Fairfirst Insurance chasing a victory target of 230-runs in 50 Overs was perilously placed at 06 down for 136 runs in the 33rd over. At the fall of Moditha Ranatunga (14 in 28 balls), Koshan Jayawickrama joined Anuk Fernando and immediately broke the shackles by hitting 04 mighty sixes, thus propelling the total to 211.
Maliban bowlers fought tooth and nail and got rid of Jayawickrama & No. 09 batsman, Pubudu Bandara (01) and got back to the game (213 for 8 in 45 overs) ; but then they blundered, as their wicket keeper, Gihan Anuruddha droped Anuk Fernando off paceman Chamara Ratnayake with Fairfirst needing 15 runs to win, 02 wickets in hand.
Anuk Fernando used his new lease of life to his team’s advantage by hitting a glorious six to take Fairfirst over the line in the 48.2 overs; with him was No. 10 batsman Suwath Mendis (09 not out in 14 balls).
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Maliban Biscuits, who won the toss and batted scored 229 all out in 49.2 overs their innings anchored by a gutsy century by one drop batsman, Mohamed Shamzi (107 in 126 balls, inclusive of 02 sixes and 08 fours) ; Shamzi was associated in a 82 runs partnership in 126 balls with No. 06 batsman, Anjula Perera (38 in 64 balls), which bailed them out from 57 for 4 in 11 overs; Koshan Jayawickrama bowled menacingly to finish with 10-1-35-3 whilst Asel Sigera with a containing spell of 10-1-28-1.
Match Referee, Sena Nandiweera named Anuk Fernando from Fairfirst Insurance as his Man of the Match. The other 03 special awards, based on performances up to the Semi Finals went to Chamod Pushpa Battage from Softlogic Holdings, best bowler with a haul of 20 wickets for 154 runs, bowling 52 overs in 07 matches.
Anuk Fernando from Fairfirst Insurance, who accumulated 346 runs in 05 innings with 05 half centuries was the best batsman. Maliban Biscuits Captain, Tharindu Siriwardena, was the Man of the Series (07 innings, 416 runs, 03 not outs, inclusive of 02 centuries and 02 half centuries; 52 overs, 174 runs, 11 wickets).
The awards were given away by Chief Guest, Vice President/ Head of Treasury, NDB Bank & MCA President 2015/17, Niran Mahawatte & MCA officials, Nalin Wickramasinghe, President, Mahesh de Alwis, Senior VP & Chairman, Tournament Committee & Tarindra Kaluperuma, General Secretary.
Brief Scores
Maliban Biscuits – 229 (49.2) Mohamed Shilmi 107, Anjula Perera 38, Koshan Jayawickrama 3/35, Anuk Fernando 3/53
Fairfirst Insurance – 234/8 (48.3) Anuk Fernando 74*, Koshan Jayawickrama 50, Lakshan Perera 32, Hashan Dumindu 21, Nishan Perera 2/47
Result – Fairfirst Insurance won by 2 wickets
