Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy gets underway today

By Amindha de Alwis 

The 43rd First XI cricket two-day encounter between Nalanda College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy, played for the Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy, is set to get underway today at the Nalanda College Grounds in Colombo. 

The tussle between the two schools has been an annual fixture in the school cricketing calendar since 1978, and the trophy was named the Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy in 2019, with the theme ‘Spirit of Cricket Legacy for Future Generations.’ 

The inaugural match was won by Trinity College, who recorded an outright win by 47 runs to be the first holders of the new trophy. The subsequent encounter too went the way of the Trinitians, who won outright by an innings and two runs. 

Akram Muthalif will lead Trinity College as they step out to defend their trophy, while Dineth Samaraweera will skipper the Nalandians, who will be playing on home turf. 

Trinity College, together with the Nalanda College ‘88 Group Batch, under the auspices of the Nalanda College Old Boys Association/Nalanda College Past Cricketers Association, are organising this traditional encounter.
Individual awards are also on offer for the Best Batter, Best Bowler, Best Fielder, and Man of the Match.