Army players claim the T20 title as well
ThePapareNews article
Army SC became the 2026 champions of the Sri Lanka Cricket-organised Tier B T20 tournament today (26).
In the grand final that concluded at the Samadhi Cricket Grounds in Anuradhapura, they secured this title with a 6-wicket win over Leo CC, and it is also notable that they were the side that won the Tier B one-day tournament held earlier.
Winning the toss in this match, Leo CC chose to bat first and made 163 for 6, and Army SC chased down that target for the loss of only 4 wickets with 13 balls still to spare.
Leo CC team
Supun Dilshan (captain), Prasad Asanka, Ashan Fernando, Nethma Karunaratne, Neluka Heshan (wicketkeeper), Romesh Suranga, Poorna Kalhara, Salindu Pathirana, Vishwa Rajapaksa, Sudara Dakshina and Gayana Kahawiti,
Army SC team
Shehanda Soysa (captain), Ashan Sudarshana (wicketkeeper), Janaka Sampath, Manushka Samith, Krishen Aponsu, Thisara Perera, Ravindu Wijewardena, Lilan Rangana, Pathum Malith, Sarath Madushka and Harshajith Rushan.
Poorna Kalhara was the highest scorer for Leo CC, who batted first. He made an unbeaten 40 off 20 balls with 3 sixes and 3 fours.
Together with Vishwa Rajapaksa (11 not out), he also added an unbroken 42-run stand for the 7th wicket off 22 balls.
In addition to them, Neluka Heshan faced 28 balls for 37 runs with 4 fours, Prasad Asanka faced 15 balls for 22 runs with 3 fours and a six, and Nethma Karunaratne faced 28 balls for 21 runs with 2 fours.
With the ball, Sarath Madushka recorded the best bowling figures of the innings with 4 wickets for 41 runs, while Lilan Rangana also claimed a wicket.
Although Army SC lost their first three wickets with the score on 39 in their reply, captain Shehanda Soysa and Krishen Aponsu built a 63-run partnership off 42 balls for the fourth wicket.
That partnership was broken by the dismissal of Shehanda Soysa. When he fell he had made 41 runs off 22 balls with 3 sixes and 3 fours.
When Army SC completed the win, Thisara Perera was unbeaten on 41 off 21 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours, and Krishen Aponsu was unbeaten on 38 off 43 balls with 3 fours. The pair added an unbroken 62-run stand for the 5th wicket off 42 balls.
In addition to them, openers Janaka Sampath made 19 runs off 12 balls with 3 fours and Ashan Sudarshana made 16 runs off 7 balls with a six and 2 fours.
With the ball, Prasad Asanka and Supun Dilshan took two wickets each.
Brief scores of the match
- Leo CC – 163 for 6 (20.0) Prasad Asalanka 22, Nethma Karunaratne 21, Neluka Heshan 37, Poorna Kalhara 40 not out, Sarath Madushanka 4/41
- Army SC – 164 for 4 (17.5) Krishen Aponsu 38 not out, Shehanda Soysa 41, Thisara Perera 41 not out, Prasad Asalanka 2/37, Supun Dilshan 2/39
Army SC won by 6 wickets.
Man of the Match – Shehanda Soysa (Army SC)
Best Bowler of the Tournament – Ishan Abeysekara (Navy SC)
Best Batsman of the Tournament – Yashoda Mendis (Kandy Customs SC)
Most Valuable Player of the Tournament – Kavinda Eshwara (Ragama CC)
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Based on ThePapare reporting