Right arm medium fast bowler Nimantha Perera, with a hat-trick of wickets, guided Star Garments (Pvt.) Ltd Katunayake to an exciting 2-wicket win over Kelani Cables PLC in the 12th Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt) Ltd sponsored, “Honda” Trophy – MCA G Division 25 Over League Tournament 2023 Final, which concluded on Saturday (5th August) at the MCA Grounds.
Batting first, Kelani Cables got off to a solid start as their opening pair Risith Ishara (51 in 52 balls, inclusive of six and six fours) and Tharusha Nethsara (38 in 47 balls, inclusive of 04 fours) put on a 80-run partnership for the first wicket.
No. 3 batter Lahiru Jayasuriya also contributed with a useful 34-run knock to set the platform for Kelani Cables.
As Perera was brought back into the attack in the 21st over, Kelani Cable lost their grip losing the rest of their 07 wickets, being all out for 160 runs in 25 overs.
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Perera picked up 4 wickets for 35 runs including a hat-trick, bagging the vital wickets of Risith Ishara, Lahiru Jayasuriya and Thilina Dilshan.
Chasing a target of 161 runs to win, Star Garments was inspired by a crucial 55-run stand for the 3rd wicket set by Savindu Perera (23 runs in 23 balls with a six and a four) and Chathuranga Dilshan (31 runs in 32 balls with two sixes and three fours).
When Star Garments was cruising in the run-chase, paceman Mohomed Azeem came back for his second spell and struck hard to get three quick wickets to change the momentum towards Kelani Cabels.
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Star Garments faced the last over needing 08 runs to win, which was bowled by Thilina Dilshan.
Kanishka Gamage kept his nerves as he scored the required 08 runs to put Star Garments over the line with three balls to spare. Nimantha Perera of Star Garments won the Man of the Match award for his all-round heroics.
The other special awards winners were as follows –
Best Bowler – Mas Active Trading, right arm medium pace bowler, Pasindu Wijesinghe (07 matches, 30.4 overs, 153 runs, 22 wickets
Best Batsman – Amana Banks right hand batsman, Rikas Jawfer (07 innings, 369 runs, 2 not outs with 01 century and 03 Half Centuries)
Man of the Series – Zillione Systems Solutions (Pvt) Ltd
All Rounder – Sanka Peiris (05 innings, 334 runs with 01 century and 02 half centuries and 10 wickets for 106 runs)
Awards were given away by the Chief Guest, Director/Chief Operating Officer Charaka Perera and Guest of Honor, General Manager Administration Damitha Jayasundara (Both from Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt.) Ltd), along with the MCA officials Nalin Wickramasinghe (President), Mahesh de Alwis Snr. (Vice President) and Lakmal De Silva (Chairman Tournament Committee).
Brief Scores
Kelani Cables PLC: 160 (25) Risith Ishara 51, Tharusha Nethsara 38, Lahiru Jayasuroya 34, Nimantha Perera 4/35, Viraj Jayamaha 2/36
Star Garments (Pvt.) Ltd: 161/8 (24.3) Chathuranga Dilshan 31, Savindu Perera 23, Nimantha Perera 20, Ashan Nimantha 19, Kanishka Gamage 18*, Vinila Perera 17, Isuru Abeygunawardene 16, Mohomad Azeem 4/20, Dinuka Anupamal 2/19
Result – Star Garments (Pvt.) Ltd won by 2 wickets and clinch the championship
 Ltd Katunayake to an exciting 2-wicket win over Kelani Cables PLC in the 12th Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt) Ltd sponsored, “Honda” Trophy – MCA G Division 25 Over League Tournament 2023 Final, which concluded on Saturday (5th August) at the MCA Grounds.){kind=link}