MAS UNICHELA OVERCOME DIMO IN THRILLER

The 27th Singer –MCA Premier League 2020 got off to a wet start recently with 2 out of 3 matches failing to go the full distance and being decided by the DLS method.

The game that went the full circle between MAS Unichela vs. DIMO at Katunayake was an absolute thriller; DIMO falling short by 9 just runs.

MAS Unichela, who won the toss and batted, put up a challenging 259 in 48.4 overs; Kamidu Mendis anchored the batting with a well compiled 78 not out in 72 balls inclusive of 10 fours, while skipper, Kusal Janith Perera (43) and Chamara Silva (43) made useful contributions to bolster the total.

The DIMO chase was spearheaded by Ramesh Mendis (66 in 70 balls) and Nipun Karunanayake (54 in 79 balls) who were associated in a 77 runs stand in 88 balls for the 5th wicket.

Kamidu Mendis was once again a real thorn in the flesh, as he stalled the DIMO run-machine with a miserly 10 over spell of 1 for 39. Lahiru Madusanka (3 for 59) and Dilruwan Perera (2 for 44) were the other main contributors towards Unichela’s close win.

The match which got top billing between the defending league winner, LB Finance and the SLC U-19 team was marred by poor weather.

LBF who won the toss and batted, came down like a ton of bricks on the youngsters, making 285 for 8 in 50 overs with Dhananja de Silva (79 in 83 balls) and Shehan Jayasuriya ( 65 in 50 balls) in full flourish.

The SLC U-19’s, needing 286 runs to win (RPO 5.72) gave spirited chase with skipper, Nipun Dhananjaya spearheading the run chase with a sparkling 75 runs in 44 balls, hitting 5 towering sixes and 4 fours. They were 180 for 3 in 28.3 overs when the match ended prematurely, well short on the DLS par score of 253 runs.