Media cricket team defeated MCA Ex-Co team by 9 runs in their 3rd annual friendly T20 encounter worked off at MCA grounds on Saturday.
MCA team was led by their president Roshan Iddamalgoda while the Media side was captained by veteran journalist Ranjan Paranavithana.
Iddamalgoda won the toss and elected to field first on a pitch which had a big layer of grass. Media lost three quick wickets as left-arm seamer Sanjaya Wijesinghe ripped through the top order with some quality swing bowling.
At 19 for 3, Darshana Maldeniya of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Damith Weerasinghe of ThePapare.com came together and resurrected the innings with a fine 103-run fourth wicket stand in 73 balls.
Left-handed Weerasinghe stroked a well-compiled 67 off 51 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes while Maldeniya held his fort, scoring a run-a-ball 35 and remained unbeaten till the end. Dinesh Upendra also from Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation made a quick-fire 20-ball 37 to help Media reach 171 for 4 from their 20 overs.
Chasing a daunting 172 runs to win, MCA Ex-Co lost half of their side inside the powerplay for just 17 runs but a valiant half-century by left-handed opening batsman Wasanthalal Fernando ensured the home team stay in the hunt.
Right-arm seamer Priyal Weerasinghe of ITN was the pick of the bowlers taking 5 for 29 from his quota of overs. Fernando struck 58 off 42 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes and got valuable support from Tarindra Kaluperuma and Lasantha Jayawardene who made 12 and 30 respectively.
Chamara Perera made a 11-ball 23 towards the end but the initial damage ensured Media’s victory.
Media – 171/4 (20) : Damith Weerasinghe 67, Darshana Maldeniya 35*, Dinesh Upendra 37*, Sanjaya Wijesinghe 2/17.
MCA – 162/8 (20) : Wasanthalal Fernando 58, Lasantha Jayawardene 30, Chamara Perera 23, Priyal Weerasinghe 5/29, Sameera Peiris 2/28.
Best Batsman – Wasanthalal Fernando
Best Bowler – Priyal Weerasinghe
Man of the Match – Damith Weerasinghe
