Army march into Tier ‘B’ final with 5-wicket win
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club qualified for the final of the Inter-Club Tier ‘B’ Limited-Overs Cricket Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Cricket after recording a 5-wicket victory in today’s (08) second semi-final at the Colts Ground in Colombo. With this win, Army Sports Club will face Galle Cricket Club in the final, scheduled for September 11 at the Bloomfield Ground.
Kurunegala Sports Club won the toss and batted first, making 264 all out in 49.5 overs, before Army Sports Club chased down the target in 42.2 overs with only 5 wickets lost.
Dulaj Ranatunga top-scored for Kurunegala with 56, while Sarinda Dasanayake made 42 and Dilshan Kollure 41. Sanuja Ninduwara struck a rapid 25 off 18 balls, including 2 fours and a six.
For Army, Lilan Rangana and Asela Gunaratne kept the Kurunegala innings in check by claiming 3 wickets each, while Shehada Zoysa took 2.
Ashan Sudarshana and Pathum Dilshan gave Army a strong start in their pursuit of 265, adding 98 for the first wicket.
Ashan Sudarshana scored 50 off 57 balls, with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Pathum Dilshan made 41, while Manushka Samith struck 36 off 33 balls with 4 fours and a six.
Thisara Perera accelerated Army’s victory with an aggressive innings late in the chase. He made 48 off 34 balls, including 4 sixes, and his attacking batting helped Army finish the match quickly.
Asela Gunaratne remained at the crease until the end, contributing a valuable 39 off 38 balls to the victory. His innings included 3 fours and a six.
Kurunegala Sports Club – 264/10 (49.5) – Dulaj Ranatunga 56, Sarinda Dasanayake 42, Dilshan Kollure 41, Sanuja Ninduwara 25, Lilan Rangana 44/3, Asela Gunaratne 54/3, Shehada Zoysa 45/2
Sri Lanka Army Sports Club – 265/5 (42.2) – Ashan Sudarshana 50, Pathum Dilshan 41, Manushka Samith 36, Sukitha Devthilina 28, Asela Gunaratne 39*, Thisara Perera 48, Ruchira Silva 41/2
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting