Peoples Leasing lifts MCA Division 'F' title

Peoples Leasing Co. PLC lifted the MCA-Sierra IT Trophy with a 18-run win over Standard Chartered Bank in the final of the 1st Sierra Information Technologies Ltd., sponsored, MCA Division ‘F’ 30-over League Tournament held at the MCA grounds.

The architects of the PLC victory were openers, Salitha Mahanama, Nuwan Sanjeewa and opening bowler, Rushira Jayasekera.

PLC sent into bat, got off to a tremendous start with a 95 runs opening stand between Salitha Mahanama (75 in 48 balls, inclusive of three sixes and 12 fours) and Nuwan Sanjeewa (28). At the departure of the openers, SCB spinners, Ravin Perumal (2/45), Jeremy Savarimuttupulle (3/25) and Bhanuka Adhisha (2/18) spun a deadly web around PLC to restrict them to 176 in their allotted 30 overs; Sameera Sandaruwan (22) and skipper, Isuru Perera (21 in 14 balls with 2 sixes and a four) made useful contributions.

The Bankers got off to a poor start losing 3 wickets for 12 runs, as opening bowler, Ruchira Jayasekera got rid of inform batsmen, Charith Satharasinghe and Jeremy Savarimuttupulle. PLC skipper, Isuru Perera then bagged the prize scalps of SCB opener, Bhanuka Adhisha (20) and skipper Tharindu Fernando to send them reeling at five wickets for 46.

SCB now looking down the barrel, fought back with two fighting partnerships of 32 runs for the sixth wicket and a 30 runs stand for the 7th wicket involving Sylwin Jamion (25), Hiran Rajapaksa (25) and Sanjeewa Anuruddha (27) taking them to 107 for 7. Ruchira Jayasekera, coming back for his second spell picked up two more wickets (5.4-01-35-4), as the Bankers remained on the wrong side of ledger, to be dismissed for 158 in 28.4 overs.

Match Referee, A.J. Samarasekera had no hesitation in picking Salitha Mahanama of Peoples’ Leasing Co. PLC, as the man-of-the-match.

The other special awards went to Standard Chartered Bank's Sylvin Jamion (Best Bowler), Peoples’ Leasing PLC's Salitha Mahanama (Best Batsman) and Malintha Gajanayake of Hilton Colombo Residence (Man of the Tournament).

Peoples’ Leasing Co. PLC 175 all out in 30 overs (Nuwan Sanjeewa 28, Salitha Mahanama 75, Sameera Sandaruwan 22, Isuru Perera 21, Tharindu Fernando 2/25, Ravin Perumal 2/45, Jeremy Savarimuttupulle 3/25, Bhanuka Adhisha 2/18)

Standard Chartered Bank 158 all out in 28.4 overs (Bhanuka Adhisha 20, Sylvin Jamion 25, Hiran Jayasekera 25, Sanjeewa Anuruddha 27, Shehan Bartholamusz 22n.o, Ruchira Jayasekera 4/35, Isuru Perera 2/20)