Kandanarachchi’s valiant effort fails for Sampath Bank

A valiant 83 runs by Sampath Bank’s opening batsman Sameen Kandanarachchi went in vain for his team, as Mode Engineering went past them by three wickets, in the ongoing 29th Singer-MCA Super Premier League T20 tournament, 2022, continued at the NCC Grounds.  

Kandanarachchi’s brave performance came in 54 balls, which included seven sixes and a couple fours, as Sampath Bank finished with 143 for 9 in 20 overs. Dushan Hemantha bowled best for Mode Engineering, bagging 3 for 33 in four overs.   

Mode Engineering raced to their target in 18 overs, scoring 149 for 7 with valuable contributions coming from T. Dikwella (45), Shehan Fernando (30) and Ishitha Wijesundera (37 not out); Achintha Supun bowled best for the bankers, bagging 2 for 16 in four overs.  

In the afternoon, League winner, CDB beat Hayleys convincingly by five wickets.  
Hayleys batting first crashed to 112 all out in 19.4 overs, bamboozled by N. Heshan (4-0-11-4) and Dananjaya Lakshan (4-0-17-2). Dilruwan Perera (46) and Lahiru Samarakoon (26) were the only batsman, who stood up to the CDB bowlers   

CDB in reply shed little sweat on reaching the target in 17.1 overs, scoring 113 for 5 as Sithara Gimhana (39) and Dananjaya Lakshan (33) top scored for CDB, while Chathuranga de Silva (2 for 25) was the pick of the bowlers for Hayleys.  

The tournament’s last two group matches are played at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa yesterday followed by the Semi-Finals on Wednesday (22) and the Final on Saturday, (25) at the MCA grounds.  (BM)