School Cricket continued over the weekend as Nalanda College hosted Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala on their home turf for the Under 17 Division I pre-quarterfinal fixture. Nalanda College qualified comprehensively winning all their matches in the second round topping group P, whilst Maliyadeva College ended up second in group W.
After winning a decisive toss and electing to bat, for the first time in the entire season Nalanda College were in a spot of bother thanks to some impressive bowling by the Devans, as they bundled the Nalandians out for 184 in their allocated 50 overs. Nadun Senarathna top scored for Nalanda College with 43, while Lakitha Ranawaka was Maliyadeva’s most effective bowler ending with figures of 2/24.
Batting second and chasing a target of 185 Maliyadeva College looked in a spot of bother of their own as the Nalandians struck early with a wicket in the 4th over leaving the Devans a bit vulnerable at 11 for 1. The action heated up in the following overs as the Nalandians continued to attack leaving Maliyadeva College Stranded at 59 for the loss of 3 wickets in the 17th over. Muditha Premadasa looked to consolidate the Maliyadeva innings with some watchful batting.
The game took another twist as Maliyadeva College lost half their side by the 36th over with set batsman Muditha Premadasa losing his defense to a hard fought 65, thanks to some well-constructed bowling by Nalanda College. With another 65 runs still needed in 14 overs the Nalandians looked to fight back. And fight back they did by bowling out the Devans for 146 in the 46th over. Ravin de Silva picked up 3 wickets while Chamodya Rajapakse and Rashan Dissanayake bagged 2 wickets each.
Nalanda College, Colombo 184 (50 overs)
Nadun Senarathna 43, Awishka Perera 28, Jayod Kaldera 20, Anuda Vithwara 20, Lakitha Ranawaka 2/24
Vs
Maliyadewa College, Kurunegala 146 (45.3 overs)
Muditha Premadasa 65, Rashan Dissanayaka 2/24, Chamodya Rajapaksha 2/21, Ravin de Silva 3/28
Result – Nalanda College won by 38 runs
