3DH International Group clinch MCA 'E' division League title
The Winning Captain of 3DH International Group, Milan Abeysekera (third from right) receiving the “DPGC” Challenge Trophy from Jayantha Ratnayake, Executive Director, David Peiris Motor Co. Ltd,(third from left). Others in the picture are from left: Ashan Nissanka – Director / CEO Assetline Leasing Co. Ltd, Nalin Wickramasinghe – President MCA, Tarindra Kaluperuma (General Secretary MCA ) and Lakmal De Silva (Secretrary Tournament Committee MCA). (Picture by – Herbert Perera)
A courageous, 76 runs in 72 balls, inclusive of 02 sixes and 08 fours, by Captain, Milan Abeysekera, steered 3DH International Group to their first MCA cricket title, as they nudged Fairfirst Insurance by 03 wickets, with 05 deliveries to spare, in the 19th David Pieris Group of Companies sponsored, “DPGC” Challenge Trophy – Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA), “E” division 30 Over League Tournament 2022, final, concluded on Saturday at the MCA Grounds.
Fairfirst Insurance sent into bat, was tied down by 3DH veteran left arm leg spinner, Denham Cramer (2 for 27) and right arm off spinner, Kolitha Nayanananda (3 for 27) as they failed to finish their quota of overs being all out for 180 runs in 28.1 overs. The inning was anchored by their opening batsman, Inesh Fernando who scored a solid 72 runs in 51 balls, inclusive of 03 sixes and 08 fours.
3DH International started off badly losing their openers Johanne de Zilva for 6 runs and Nilantha Wijekoon for 17 runs. Captain Abeysekera, playing one drop, steadied the innings with a 52 runs stand for the 4th wicket in 45 balls with Shevon Fonseka 13 and they were 101 for 4.
Fairfirst fought tooth and nail and got back to the game, bagging two quick wickets.
3 DH now needing 34 runs to win in 05 overs with 03 wickets in hand, crossed the line, as their 08th wicket pair, Vishan Gunasekera 16 not out and Kolitha Nayanananda 13 not out bravely defied the rampaging Fairfirst Insurance pace attack, with an unbroken 36 runs stand.
3DH International Group Captain, Milan Abeysekera was the Man of the Match.
Fairfirst Insurance: 180 in 28.1 overs (Inesh Fernando 72, Preshein Fernando 18, Isuru Sampath 29, Ashen Shamika 23, Denham Cramer 2/27, Nilantha Wijekoon 2/25, Kolitha Nayanananda 3/27)
3DH International Group: 183 for 7 in 29.5 overs (Milan Abeysekera 76, Dineth Jayakody 19, Vishan Gunasekera 16 not out, Ishara Perera 3/27, Dulip Silva 2/14)