Sri Lanka and MAS Unichela opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka stroked a stunning century to guide his team to their third consecutive victory in the 24th SINGER-MCA Premier League as they defeated Sampath Bank by 26 runs (D/L method) today at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
After winning the toss, Sampath Bank elected to bat first. They posted a reasonable score of 253 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs. Skipper Jeewan Mendis smashed 6 sixes during his 65-ball 80 which anchored the Sampath innings.
Hasantha Fernando chipped in with a useful 37 while Rumesh Buddhika and Kaushal Silva chipped in with 25 and 23 respectively. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera and leg-spinner Malinga Bandara captured three wickets each for MAS Unichela.
Chasing 254 runs to win, Gunathilaka caressed the field to collect 13 fours and lofted over for a six during his magnificent 103-ball 109. Tillakarathne Dilshan made a hefty contribution of 52 as MAS Unichela raced to 236 for 7 in 40.5 overs when bad light stopped play. At the time of stoppage, MAS Unichela were 26 runs ahead.
With this win, former Champions MAS Unichela lead the point’s table with 3 victories from as many games.
Sampath Bank – 253/9 in 50 overs: Kaushal Silva 23, Rumesh Buddhika 25, Jeewan Mendis 80, Hasantha Fernando 37, Chamika Karunarathne 26, Dilruwan Perera 3/49, Malinga Bandara 3/55.
MAS Unichela – 236/7 in 40.5 overs: Danushka Gunathilaka 109, Mahela Udawatta 22, TM Dilshan 52, Chamara Silva 20, Kasun Rajitha 2/38, Jeewan Mendis 2/40.
HNB vs John Keells
Former Peterite batsman Lahiru Milantha and former Lumbini College right-arm seamer Vikum Bandara put up stellar performances to help John Keells thrash HNB by 8 wickets in their 24th SINGER-MCA Premier League encounter worked out at Surrey Village grounds in Maggona.
In a 48-over affair, John Keells decided to chase and their bowlers did a splendid job by restricting the bankers to 158. Yohan Fernando made a patient 126-ball 63 while former Josephian captain Hashan Gunathilake chipped in with 20. Bandara returned figures of 5 for 30 while off-spin duo of Maduka Liyanapathiranage and Janaka Gunarathne captured two wickets apiece.
Chasing a paltry target of 159 runs, Lahiru Milantha and Dimuth Karunarathne added almost 100 for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed for 40. Milantha stayed unbeaten till the end scoring 84 off 53 deliveries with 12 fours and 3 gigantic sixes. He was ably supported by Roshen Silva who made 27 not out. Incidentally, this is HNB’s third consecutive loss in the current tournament.
HNB – 158 all out in 47.3 overs: Yohan Fernando 63, Hashan Gunathilake 20, Vikum Bandara 5/30, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 2/27, Janaka Gunarathne 2/23.
John Keells – 162/2 in 17.1 overs: Lahiru Milantha 84*, Dimuth Karunarathne 40, Roshen Silva 27*
 today at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.){kind=link}