Three wickets and a half century by Sachithra Serasinghe and two wickets and an unbeaten 40 runs by all rounder Isuru Udana helped Sri Lanka Port Authority beat Tamil Union by three wickets to record their first win in the Premier Limited Over cricket tournament at R Premadasa grounds recently.
Udana claimed the wicket of opener Pabasara Waduge when the total was on 10 and then had half centurian Pulina Tharanga (52) caught by Yohan de Silva before smashing a match winning 40 off just 27 balls with four boundaries and two sixes as Port Authority reached home with two balls to spare. Sachithra Serasnighe however anchored the innings with a fight half century but it was Udana fireworks that brought an unlikely win for them. Serasinghe made 54 off 83 balls.
Earlier batting first Tamil Union were restricted for 232 runs for eight wickets thanks to a fine bowling effort from Serasinghe and Udana. Spinner Serasinghe claimed three for 44 runs in his ten over spell while paceman Udana gave away 59 runs for his two scalps. Tamil Union batting first were reeling at 105 for the loss of five wickets in the 29th over but Denuwan Rajakaruna (69) and Pulina Tharanga (52) shared 117 for the sixth wickets as Tamil Union put on 232 for the loss of eight wickets. Rajakaruna hit eight boundaries and a six in his 62 balls innings while Tharanga spared 63 balls for his 53 runs. Opener Ashen Silva hit 44.
Tamil Union 232 for 8 ( D Rajakaruna 69, P Tharanga 52, A Silva 44; S Serasinghe 3 for 44, I Udana 2 for 59)
Port Authority: 236 for 7 in 49.4 overs ( S Serasinghe 54, I Udana 40 not out; Rumesh Buddika 2 for 34)
