Unbeaten teams enter DPGC Final

Unbeaten, HNB Grameen and Asia Asset Finance reached the Final of the 15th David Pieris Group of Companies sponsored, “Dpgc”challenge Trophy, Mca“e”division 30 –Over League Tournament 2017.

In the semi-finals played last Sunday, HNB Grameen scored a hard fought three wickets win over Mercantile Investments Ltd., while Asia Asset Finance scored a comfortable 51-runs win over DFCC Bank.

In the top half semi final : Mercantile Credit, sent into bat put up a challenging total of 162 for 9 in 30 overs, propelled by the belligerent 42 runs in 15 balls, inclusive of 05 sixes and a four scored by Chandika Kumara.

Chandika Kumara hit five sixes on the trot in the 14th over, bowled by Chamara Ratnayake (2/36).

MIL strike bowlers, Chandika Kumara (2/38) and Captain , Dinesh Seneviratne (2/37) bowled well in tandem, as they put HNB Grameen against ropes – 56 for 4 in 10.6 overs ; but they got back on track via a valiant 5th wicket stand of 56 runs off 30 balls between Suleka Ranasinghe (45) and Dinusha Fernando (20) .

Janith Perera (20) put the finishing touches, as HNB Grameen reached their target in 27.4 overs with three wickets in hand. In the bottom half semi final – half centuries scored by Eranga Prabath (57 off 54 balls, inclusive of 8 fours ) and Shashrika Pussegolla (60 in 38 balls, inclusive of a six and 05 fours ) guided Asia Asset Finance who batted first to go over the 200 run mark (206/9 in 30 overs ). Eranga Prabath laid the foundation for this with two partnerships - the first with Nimesh Fernando (40), 75 runs in 77 balls for the 2nd wicket and continued with Pussegolla, 66 runs in 40 balls for the third wicket.

DFCC in reply wilted under the accurate bowling of Malith Mahela (3/30). Shashrika Pussegolla (2/29) and Vinod Perera (2/27) - all out in 28.1 overs for 155 runs. Whilst nine other DFCC batsmen were terrorised by Malith Mahela, Pussegolla and Vinoth Perera, Dhanushka Weerasinghe fought like a Trojan with a terrific 72 runs in 48 balls, inclusive of 05 sixes and 06 fours, Chamod Wickramasinghe chipped in with 28 runs.

At MCA : HNB Grameen beat Mercantile Investments Ltd., by three wickets.

MIL–162 /9 (30) ( Chandika Kumara 42, Dinesh Seneviratne 27, Dasun Jayasundera 21, S. Bandara 3/27, Dinusha Fernando 2/25, S. Ranasinghe 2/14, C. Ratnayake 2/36) HNB Grameen - 163/7 (27.4) (S. Ranasinghe 44, D. Fernando 20, J. Perera 20, Chandika Kumara 2/38, Dinesh Seneviratne 2/37)

At Army /Mattegoda : Asia Asset Finance beat DFCC Bank by 51 runs.

AAF - 206/9 (30) (E. Prabath 57, Nimesh Fernando 40, Shashrika Pussegolla 60, D. Weerasinghe 3/33, P. Manoj 2/33) DFCC–155 (28.1) ( Dhanushka Weerasinghe 72, C.wickramasinghe 28, M.mahela 3/30, Shashrika Pussegolla 2/29, Vinod Perera 2/27) -BM