Skipper Farveez Maharoof’s exemplary all-round performance helped Nondescripts Cricket Club beat Colts Cricket Club by 77 runs in the AIA Premier Limited Overs Tournament 2015/16 final played at R. Premadasa International Stadium on Wednesday.
Photo Album – Colts V NCC – Finals – Premier Limited Overs 2015/16
A crucial run-a-ball 34 and a first-over hat-trick with the ball by the veteran fast-bowler ensured NCC put hands on the Premier Limited Overs title after winning it in 2012 under Upul Tharanga’s leadership. Colts Cricket Club were the defending champions coming into this all-important final.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, NCC got off to a flying start thanks to their aggressive openers, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella. Both left-handers caressed the field excellently by pilling up 9 boundaries amongst them with the help of some mediocre bowling by the Colts fast-bowlers.
Experienced Dilruwan Perera struck the first blow when he cleaned up Dickwella (49) just short of a well-deserved half-century to end the 86-run opening stand. Tharanga (34) perished in the very next over bowled by Perera while he took his 3rd wicket when young Nimesha Gunasinghe was caught behind by Sadeera Samarawickarama for just 1 run.
The Colts spinners tightened the screws on the run-flow brilliantly to restrict their counterparts to 132 for 5 with just over 100 balls to remaining in the innings. Former Peterite captain Angelo Perera and skipper Farveez Maharoof constructed a valuable 55-run stand for the 6th wicket while Isuru Udana added 37 for the 7th wicket with Perera to end the NCC innings on a high note.
The 25-year old Perera struck a well-compiled 74-ball 50 while Udana managed to score 25 off 14 balls. Tailenders, Anuk Fernando and Tharindu Kaushal put more salt to the Colts bowling wound by contributing 29 runs in 13 balls as NCC posted a commendable 255 on the board. Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera was the standout performer for Colts bagging 6 wickets for just 28 runs.
Chasing a daunting target of 256 runs to defend the crown, Colts were off to the worst possible start as Farveez Maharoof ripped through their top-order. The 31-year old right-arm seamer removed Shehan Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Shehan Jayasuriya in the final three deliveries of the first-over.
Maharoof has the knack of picking up hat-tricks as he has an ODI hat-trick against India in 2010 to his name as well but unfortunately he had to leave the field after picking up a groin injury in the very next over.
Capitalizing on Maharoof’s loss, Hashan Dumindu and Angelo Jayasinghe resurrected the Colts chase by putting up an invaluable 105 runs for the 4th wicket to give some hope to the 2014 champions but part-time spinner Angelo Perera removed Jayasinghe soon after he reached his half-century.
Dumindu was then joined by the former Josephian Priyamal Perera. They managed to add 42 for the 5th wicket before the former was run-out for a well-made 99-ball 72 with 5 fours. Colts needed 100 runs in the last 10 overs but the task was too much for the lower order as they were bundled out for 178 in 45 overs.
Maharoof was named Man-Of-The-Final for his performances with both bat and ball. He shared his views after the win, “I’m really happy for the boys. Amazing feeling to win a championship as we had planned for this from the start of the season.”
At a time when Sri Lanka Cricket is in turmoil in New Zealand, players like Farveez Maharoof are performing exceptionally well at home. Time for a recall? We shall wait and watch carefully.
NCC – 255/8 in 50 overs: Niroshan Dickwella 49, Upul Tharanga 34, Angelo Perera 50, Farveez Maharoof 34, Isuru Udana 25, Dilruwan Perera 6/28.
Colts – 178 all out in 45 overs: Hashan Dumindu 72, Angelo Jayasinghe 50, Priyamal Perera 23, Farveez Maharoof 3/2, Anuk Fernando 2/20.
