The 24th Singer-MCA Premier League started with a bang as defending champions, MAS Active was stunned by the young Dimo outfit on the opening match day while Sampath Bank put up a fine chase against Textured Jersey.
MAS Active vs Dimo
Dimo led by Matheesha Perera recorded a comprehensive 6-wicket win over MAS Active at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
Dimo playing in the top-league for the first time after becoming ‘B’ division runners-up last year bowled out MAS Active, last year’s ‘League’ and ‘Knockout’ winners for just 116. Leg-spinner Pulina Tharanga and fast-bowler Thikshila De Silva picked up 3 wickets apiece while Andy Solomons and skipper Jehan Mubarak made contributions of 29 and 21 respectively for MAS Active.
Chasing a paltry 117 runs to win, Dimo romped to victory inside 34 overs. Right-handed top order batsman Hashan Dumindu struck an unbeaten 72-ball 52 while Ramesh Mendis remained unbeaten on 26. Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake picked up 2 wickets in a losing cause.
MAS Active – 116 all out 27.1 overs: Andy Solomons 29, Jehan Mubarak 21, Sameera Soysa 19, Pulina Tharanga 5/3, Thikshila De Silva 23/3, Jason Perera 2/20.
Dimo – 118/4 in 33.4 overs: Hashan Dumindu 52*, Ramesh Mendis 26 not out, Lakkana Jayasekara 22, Sachithra Senanayake 2/29.
Textured Jersey vs Sampath Bank
Textured Jersey skipper Milinda Siriwardana’s stunning century was overshadowed by Sampath Bank’s excellent chase as they claimed a 5-wicket win at Surrey Village grounds in Maggona.
After being sent into bat first, newly-promoted Textured Jersey side, last year’s ‘B’ division winners posted a superb score of 262 on the board. Siriwardana after being benched most of the time during the Australia tour of Sri Lanka which concluded yesterday slammed 9 fours and 6 sixes during his 109-ball knock of 130.
Sri Lanka U19 skipper Charith Asalanka made a fluent 40 with the bat while Sampath Bank Captain Jeewan Mendis was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets for just 24 runs.
Chasing a stiff target of 263 runs to win, Sampath Bank was guided by Sri Lanka Development XI Captain, Rumesh Buddhika as he made an unbeaten 71-ball 90 which consist 6 fours and 5 sixes. Wicket-keeper batsman Sameen Kandenarachchi made 48 while Dasun Shanaka stroked a quick-fire 33.
Textured Jersey – 262 all out 49.1 overs: Milinda Siriwardana 130, Charith Asalanka 40, Minod Bhanuka 27, Nipuna Kariyawasama 27, Jeewan Mendis 4/24, Nuwan Perera 2/52, Kasun Rajitha 2/71.
Sampath Bank – 263/5 in 46.4 overs: Rumesh Buddhika 90*, Sameen Kandenarchchi 48, Dinuk Wickramanayake 25, Jeewan Mendis 26, Dasun Shanaka 33, Chalana De Silva 2/52.
