Two half centuries from Ashen Silva (54) and TN Sampath (61) helped Tamil Union to a close 8 run (Duckworth and Lewis) win over high riding NCC at P Sara Oval
Winners were eight runs ahead of the Duckworth and Lewis target when the game was called off with four overs to spare due to bad light.
Batting first NCC could not continue their great form with the bat as they were restricted for 242 runs for the loss nine wickets thanks to a tight bowling effort. Right arm paceman Nisala Tharaka was the pick of the bowlers claiming four for 48 but it was TN Sampath’s all round effort that helped Tamil Union to their first win in the season.
The openers Niroshan Dickwella (37) and Upul Tharanga added 57 for the opening wicket but TN Sampath removed Dickwella and Jehan Mubarak in two successive deliveries to have visitors reeling at 57 for 2.
However a late flourish by Kosala Kulasekera saw NCC amassing a challenging total at the end their allotted 50 overs. The all-rounder Kulasekara made a fight 74 off 94 balls with seven boundaries and a six, his first half century in the season while Anjelo Perera made 34. Tharindu Kaushal also made a cameo 28 off 25 balls with four fours late in the order.
Chaminda Vidanapathirana was the pick of the bowlers for NCC with 3 for 51 off ten overs but his effort could not steal a victory for NCC.
NCC: 242 for 9 (Kosala Kulasekara 74, D Dickwella 37, A Perera 34, N Tharaka 4 for 48)
Tamil Union 218 for 6 in 46 overs ( TN Sampath 61, A Silva 54, C Vidanapathirana 3 for 51)
