National Super League Final: Skipper Asalanka runs riot as Colombo lift title

By M. Shamil Amit

Colombo captain Charith Asalanka produced a scintillating knock of 206, ably supported by a century from Avishka Fernando, to guide his team to a commanding 92-run victory over Jaffna in the National Super League limited-overs final. The match, played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday, saw Colombo claim the prestigious title.

Chasing an imposing target of 414, Jaffna’s hopes of victory were dashed early as they lost three wickets for just 78 runs by the 12th over. At the halfway mark, they were struggling at 159 for 5. Despite a valiant effort by Lahiru Madusanka, who fought hard with a brilliant 104 off 86 balls, Jaffna’s resistance crumbled, and they were eventually bowled out for 321.

Earlier in the day, Colombo won the toss and chose to bat. However, they faced an early setback, losing key players Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis for just six runs in the third over.

Skipper Asalanka then teamed up with opener Avishka Fernando to rebuild the innings. The pair took their time to settle in but soon began dominating, bringing up a 100-run partnership in just 89 balls.

From that point, they unleashed an onslaught on the Jaffna bowlers, posting a 200-run stand in just 84 balls. Avishka reached his century off 100 balls, while Asalanka followed suit, getting to his hundred in 92 deliveries. The duo’s marathon partnership of 262 runs in 200 balls for the third wicket proved decisive.

Avishka eventually fell for a well-crafted 126 off 113 balls, which included 10 boundaries and six sixes. Asalanka, however, continued his demolition, building two more key partnerships—69 runs in 43 balls with Nuwanidu Fernando and 77 runs in 33 balls with Dasun Shanaka—before finally being dismissed by Lahiru Madusanka. His career-best knock of 206 off just 142 balls featured 12 boundaries and 16 massive sixes, powering Colombo to a mammoth total of 413 for 6.

Asalanka’s innings was not only the highest in the tournament’s history but also a personal milestone, while Colombo’s total of 413 was the highest of the competition.

Jaffna, facing an insurmountable target, struggled to maintain any momentum. Despite Madusanka’s brave century, his efforts were in vain as Colombo secured a comprehensive win to lift the title.

Colombo: 413 for 6 in 50 overs (Charith Aslanka 206, Avishka Fernando 126, Nuwanidu Fernando 20, Dasun Shanaka 39 n.o., Lahiru Madusanka 2/77, Matheesha Pathirana 2/85)
Jaffna: 321 in 47.1 overs (Lahiru Madusanka 104, Ron Chandragupta 56, Mohamed Shamaaz 49, Ranmith Jayasena 22, Isitha Wijesundara 19, Jeffrey Vandersay 17, Janith Liyanage 16, Dilum Sudeera 3/53, Charith Asalanka 2/51, Dasun Shanaka 2/67)