Jehan Mubarak played the knock of the week as he scored an unbeaten 173 (4×21, 6×4) as NCC chased a target of 279 runs to record a thrilling two wicket win over Sri Lanka Ports Authority in their Premier League Super Eight match ended at Reid Avenue yesterday.
Chasing the target, none of the other NCC batsmen were able to consolidate as they lost wickets at regular intervals. NCC survived few tough moments before the former Sri Lanka all rounder played the sheet anchor role despite the fall of wickets at regular intervals from the other end Mubarak stood tall to steer NCC to victory.
The aggressive left hander was put under tremendous pressure during the latter stages as NCC were 220 for eight wickets one stage and Mubarak shared an unbeaten 59 run stand with Dushmantha Chameera for the ninth wicket to help his team to a thrilling win. Chameera made just seven runs.
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club pulled off a stunning ten wicket outright victory over the fancied Ragama CC in their SLC inter club Premier League tournament Super Eight match which concluded at Braybrooke Place.
Ragama CC who were trailing by a massive 218 runs on the first innings could not put up a fight in their second attempt and were dismissed for a modest 248 runs with skipper Sameera de Zoysa making a top score of 78 from 108 deliveries with the help of one six and a dozen of boundaries.
The match winner for Army SC was their dynamic left arm spinner Ravindra Palleguruge who produced one of the most destructive spells of bowling for the season while returning amazing figures of eight wickets for 92 runs from 30 overs.
Meanwhile the SSC snatched a dramatic two wicket outright victory over the CCC in a thrilling SLC inter club Premier League tournament Super Eight match which concluded at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.
SSC chasing a modest target of 227 runs got off to a good start and were well on course towards an easy victory after wicket keeper opening batsman Kaushal Silva had struck a solid half century from 107 deliveries studded with five boundaries.
However SSC suffered a middle order collapse and soon slumped to 211 for 8 wickets against the spin combination of Dulanjana Mendis (3 for 83) and Madhuka Liyanapathiranage (4 for 77) who made a fantastic effort to bring their team back into the game.
Upul Bandara batting at number nine then struck an unbeaten 21 from the same number of deliveries and together with number ten batsman Jeffrey Vandersay the pair carried SSC home safely while going through some real anxious moments.
Earlier the CCC further extended their overall lead while scoring an impressive 361 runs in the second innings with all rounder Chaturanga de Silva adding the finishing touches with a 47 ball 51 inclusive of seven boundaries.
Chilaw Marians CC had to be content with first innings points over Badureliya CC in their SLC inter club Premier League cricket tournament Plate Championship match which concluded at the BRC ground in Havelock Park today.
Badureliya CC who were chasing a massive 467 runs rallied around magnificently through their middle order batsmen to pile up an impressive 413 runs in their first innings with Andy Solomons stroking a superb 110 studded with eight sixes and eleven boundaries.
Chilaw Marians CC then used the last two sessions for some batting practices as they went on to make 281 runs in their second innings with skipper Sahan Wijeratne adding a half century following his knock of 156 in the first innings.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Air Force SC after conceding first innings points came back magnificently to beat Panadura SC outright by 46 runs in their SLC inter club Premier League Plate Championship match which concluded at Panagoda today.
