MAS Active went through mixed emotions during the weekend when they won a match and lost another crucial match as their counter-part MAS Unichela became the unofficial league winners.
MAS Unichela vs MAS Active
MAS Unichela registered their 6th straight win of the 22nd SINGER – MCA Premier League beating their arch-rivals MAS Active by 90 at MCA grounds on Saturday and stamped their authority in the tournament.
After being sent into bat, MAS Unichela got off to flying start thanks to their dashing opening pair of TM Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera. They scored 63 runs before off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake dismissed the left-hander for 42 runs. TM Dilshan and Prasanna Jayawardene made identical scores of 41 each as MAS Unichela reached a match-winning total of 244 all out in 40.3 overs though the best contribution came from Farveez Maharoof’s bat. He made a blistering 61 runs in 34 balls with 6 sixes. Binura Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake and Sachith Pathirana captured 3 wickets apiece.
Chasing 245 runs to win, MAS Active lost their star aggressor Dilshan Munaweera early on. Farveez Maharoof continued his good work and this time around it was with the ball as he took 3 wickets for just 19 runs as MAS Active fell behind in chasing their target with only Sachithra Serasinghe and Andy Solomons scoring above 30-run mark. Experienced campaigner Ishara Amarasinghe ripped through the lower-order with 3 wickets as MAS Active innings came to an end when their total was only 154.
Chief Scores:
MAS Unichela – 244 all out in 40.3 overs: Farveez Maharoof 61, Kusal Janith Perera 42, TM Dilshan 41, Prasanna Jayawardena 41, Sachithra Senanayake 3/21, Binura Fernando 3/38, Sachith Pathirana 3/71.
MAS Active – 154 all out in 28.5 overs: Sachithra Serasinghe 38, Andy Solamans 35, Farveez Maharoof 3/19, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/37, Lahiru Jayarathne 2/46.
John Keells vs Hatton National Bank
Hatton National Bank lost another game as they failed to impress against the strong John Keells outfit as the latter won the game by 121 runs at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa on Saturday.
Deciding to bat first, John Keells amassed 265/6 in their allocated 42 overs as the start was delayed due to wet outfield. Opening batsman Harsha Cooray slammed 88-ball 72 runs and he was ably supported by two quick-fire knocks by Lahiru Milantha (40) and Milinda Siriwardene (45 in 19 balls). Crishantha Peiris and Vimukthi Perera shared 4 wickets amongst them.
Chasing a daunting target of 266 in 42 overs, HNB innings had no momentum and their skipper Hashan Goonathilake was the only player to show some resistance with his brave knock of 47. Off-spinner Janaka Gunaratne claimed three scalps as HNB finished on 144/9 in 42 overs.
Chief Scores:
John Keells – 265/6 in 42 overs: Harsha Cooray 72, Lahiru Milantha 40, Milinda Siriwardene 45, Ishan Jayarathne28*, Crishantha Peiris 2/39, Vimukthi Perera 2/59.
HNB – 144/9 in 42 overs: Hashan Goonathilake 47, Deshan Dias 24, Janaka Gunaratne 3/28, Upul Indrasiri 2/30.
MAS Active vs Seylan Bank
Sachithra Serasinghe starred with all-round performances as MAS Active won their MCA division ‘A’ match against Seylan Bank by 8 wickets at MCA grounds on Sunday.
Seylan Bank won the toss and elected to bat first. They were not able to stretch their hands and score runs freely as MAS Active bowlers tightened the screws. Harsha Vithana was the top run-getter with 37 runs while tailender Chamil Sumanthipala hammered 36 runs in 18 balls with 3 sixes as they posted 185/8 in 45 overs. TM Sampath and Sachithra Serasinghe took 5 wickets between them.
Chasing a moderate score of185, MAS Active innings was propelled by a solid partnership of 117 runs between Udara Jayasundara and Sachithra Serasinghe. Left-handed Udara made 87 runs in 80 balls while Sachithra remained unbeaten on 64 in 52 balls and guided the over the line with little less than 19 overs left.
Chief Scores:
Seylan Bank – 185/8 in 45 overs: Kanchana Gunawardana 22, Harsha Vithana 37,Kaushalya Gajasinghe 22,Chamil Sumathipala 36*, TM Sampath 3/46, Sachithra Serasinghe 2/18.
MAS Active – 186/2 in 26.4 overs: Udara Jayasundara 87, Sachithra Serasinghe 64*.
