CDB vs NTB 'A', Kanrich 'B' vs PABC semifinal lineup
The MCA 'C' Division 50-Over League Tournament sponsored by Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd for the 7th year, entered its stage with Citizens Development Business (CDB), Nations Trust Bank (NTB) 'A', Kanrich Finance (Kanrich) 'B' and Pan Asia Bank (PABC) qualifying over the weekend.
CDB scored a hard fought 3-wicket win over Softlogic Holdings (Softlogic). NTB 'A' romped to a comfortable 157-runs win over Peoples Leasing & Finance (PLF). Kanrich 'B' comprehensively beat Pyramid Wilmer (Pyramid) by 139 runs, while PABC notched up a convincing 72-run win over Commercial Leasing & Finance (ComLease).
CDB vs Softlogic: Savin Gunasekera (39 not out in 62 balls with 5 fours) played anchor man, being involved in 2 half-century stands- 55 runs for the 5th wicket with D. Dharmasiri (52 in 47 balls with 2 sixes and 5 fours) and 60 runs for the 6th wicket with Shaluka Silva (38), as the high riding, but complacent CDB managed a 3-wicket win over Softlogic. Earlier, Softlogic put up a respectable 201 in 48.4 overs, thanks to fighting innings by Shenal Athukorale (45) and V. Kumara (63)
NTB 'A' vs PL&F: Tharindu Ariyawansa was in timely form with a patient unbeaten 100 in 91 balls, to pile up 289 for 8 in 50 overs. NTB 'A' bowlers Jayanga de Silva (3/11) Sadeesh Lakmal (3/25) and Upeka Jayawardena (3/41) ripped through the Financiers batsmen, to have them all out for 132 runs in 42.1 overs.
Kanrich 'B' vs Pyramid: Kanrich 'B' batting first, got off to a disastrous start, losing 4 wickets for 9 runs, but managed to keep their heads through 2 century partnerships- 105 for the 5th wicket and 131 for the 7th wicket, via half-centurions, R. Asellarachchi (62), Sanith de Silva (61 not out) with M. Sakuranga (47) and K. Chamara (42), to finish on a challenging 256/8 in 50 overs.
Inexperienced Pyramid playing in an MCA top Division for the first time, was all at sea, having little answer to C. Weeraratne (3/28), T. Iddamalgoda (3/39) and R. Maduwantha (2/1), to be all out for 117 runs under 30 overs,
PABC vs ComLease: A 95-run stand for the 4th wicket between V. Deepal (99 in 93 balls, with 2 sixes and 8t fours) and L. Wickramasinghe (30), along with a solid half-century by Thusitha Silva (51) steered PABC to a convincing 72-runs win over ComLease.