Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Veterans, led by former MCA President, Rohana Dissanayake, took charge of the glittering, Bandula Warnapura Memorial Challenge Trophy for the first time as they beat the Sir Henry Steel Olcott Sports Foundation (SHSOSF) by 08 wickets, in their 03rd Annual 20+20 Cricket Encounter 2024, concluded on Sunday, 07th April at the MCA Grounds.
The match winners for MCA were opening batsman, Wasanthalal Fernando, who carried his bat out, after remaining 56 not out in 43 balls, inclusive of 03 sixes and 04 fours, & off spinner, Anush Perera, who finished with impressive figures of 04/18/03.
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Olcott foundation, led by Arjuna Ranatunga for the third time, won the toss & opted to bat; They were severely shackled by the MCA bowlers, medium pacemen, Duminda Pinto (4/20/01) & the two spinners, Anush Perera & Punnyakantha Abeygunasekera (04/27/01) to restrict them to their lowest total in the series- 115/5 in 20 overs.
MCA chasing a victory target of 116 runs in 20 overs got off to a solid start with Old Cambrian, Wasanthalal Fernando & Old Sebastianite, Widara Abeywardena (27 in 36 balls & inclusive of a six & 03 fours) engaged in a opening stand of 66 runs in 63 balls.
The nucleus of MCA’s win was due to Wasanthalal & Vidara & later Sanjaya Attanayake (18 not out) being able to successfully negotiate the strong Olcott spin attack of Ajith Ekanayake (Maliyadeva /Kurunegala), Lal Ranasinghe (Dharmasoka/Ambalangoda) and Prasanna Uyanhewa (Rahula /Matara)
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Late Bandula Warnapura’s family members, Hemamali (wife), Madhawa (son) & Upali (brother) who graced the occasion, presented the Challenge Trophy to the MCA Veterans Captain, Rohana Dissanayake.
Brief Scores
SHSOSF – 115/5 (20) Thilan Wijesinghe 23, Duminda Wickramasinghe 20*, Duminda Somaweera 20*, Sudarshan Guruge 13, Anush Perera 3/18
MCA Veterans – 119/2 (16.5) Wasanthalal Fernando 56*, Vidara Abeywardena 27, Sanjaya Attanayake 18*
Result – MCA Veterans won by 8 wickets
 Veterans, led by former MCA President, Rohana Dissanayake, took charge of the glittering, Bandula Warnapura Memorial Challenge Trophy for the first time as they beat the Sir Henry Steel Olcott Sports Foundation (SHSOSF) by 08 wickets, in their 03rd Annual 20+20 Cricket Encounter 2024, concluded on Sunday, 07th April at the MCA Grounds.){kind=link}