Pan Asia emerge Mercantile Indoor Cricket Champs
Pan Asia emerged champions of 2nd Mercantile Indoor Cricket Tournament and clinched the Alliansz Mercantile Trophy when they defeated fancied HSBC by 18 runs in the final played at the Austasia Sports Complex in Thalawathugoda.
Pan Asia playing in only their second indoor cricket tournament put up a superlative performance. Even though they underwent some anxious moments they fought back to overcome their strong opponents to come out victorious.
It was the all-round effort put in by the Pan Asia players that helped them overcome the stiff resistance coming from HSBC.
Pan Asia playing in only their second indoor cricket tournament put up a superlative performance. Even though they underwent some anxious moments they fought back to overcome their strong opponents to come out victorious.
Having ended up in the last position in Group A the champions qualified to the quarter-finals after a fine win against title contenders Expo Lanka.
Pan Asia confronted Group B leaders MBSL Insurance in the semi-finals and defeated them comfortably by 24 runs.
HSBC on the other hand had consistent run right throughout the tournament and were favourites to lift the title when they cruised through to the final with a superb win over Expo Lanka in the semi-finals.
In the final Harinda Udugamavithana was the hero of Pan Asia as he guided his side with a fine knock of 28. Harinda lifted his side when they were struggling after the first pair had put on 19 runs in the first four overs.
However HSBC restricted the second and third pairs to minus two runs before Harinda’s match saving knock helped them end with a modest score of 48 runs in their allotted 16 overs.
HSBC in their run chase got off to a bad start when their openers were able to make just one run in the first over. The second pair of Dion Melder and Sachith Nissanka put on a valuable 21 runs.
HSBC was sitting pretty when the final four overs began with the score on 38 needing only nine runs for victory. The Pan Asia bowlers supported by some superb fielding fought back with vengeance to send the last pair of HSBC reeling to minus eight to end up as worthy champions.
Harinda Udugamavithana for his fine all-round performance of 28 runs with the bat and two for minus two off his two overs of bowling was fittingly adjudged the man of the match.
Sixteen teams participated in the tournament which was sponsored by Alliansz Insurance with Dennis Hewagama, General Manager of Alliansz Mercantile graced the awards ceremony as the chief guest.
–MSA