Merchant Credit overcome Commercial Bank

Merchant Credit of Sri Lanka withered some stormy weather to sail to the final of the Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd., sponsored, “Bmw-hyundai” Cup, MCA “C” division 50 overs League Tournament, when they beat Commercial Bank “A” by 16 runs according to the D&L Method, in the semi-final played at the NCC ground on Sunday.

Commercial Bank invited to bat, saw their top order batsman struggling for runs on a slow wicket. But their middle order came up with rear guard action to take them to 208 for 9 in 50 overs.

Merchant Credit chasing a victory target of 209 in 50 overs (4.18 RPO) started on the wrong side of the ledger, losing opener Thilina Rajakaruna and one drop batsman, Prabath Kariyapperuma with just 05 runs on the board, both falling to CB’S batting hero, Jehan Fernando in his first over.

Tharindu Perera coming in at No. 5 anchored their batting with a gritty 71 runs in 93 balls inclusive of 11 fours to steer them to 154 for 7 in the 35 overs, but still behind the D&L target.

Thus, Merchant Credit took sweet revenge over Commercial Bank over their league outing loss by 8 wickets on 15th January at Katunayake.

Merchant Credit of Sri Lanka will now meet the winner of the other semi-final between Dimo and Union Bank to be played to-day, February 7 at the SSC. The final is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa.

Merchant Credit beat Commercial Bank “A” by 16 runs on the D&L Method.

Commercial Bank “A”- 208 for 9 in 50 overs (Derrick Martin 22, Lasith Liyanage 20, Rahula Ekanayake 26, Anuruddha Rajapaksa 38, Jehan Fernando 51 not out, Namal Fernando 2/45, Ruchira Silva 2/24)

Merchant Credit:- 193 for 7 in 44 overs when rain halted play. (Namal Fernando 20, Ruwan Nishanka 22, Tharindu Fernando 71, Chinthaka de Silva 20 n.o., Duminda Pinto 25 n.o., Jehan Fernando 3/20, Achala Ranasinghe 2/30)