Star Garments Group Katunayake snatched a thrilling last ball win over SriLankan Airlines in the final of the MCA Masters Cricket Sixes tournament that was held at the MCA ground last Sunday (July 23).
In the final, batting first SriLankan Airlines made a shaky start with the 47-year old captain of Star Garments Asitha Palihakkara grabbing two wickets from his over.
But the 43 year old Nalaka de Zoysa the captain of SriLankan Airlines steadied the innings with an unbeaten 25 runs to finish on 48 for three wickets off the allotted five overs.
Star Garments too had a shaky start with SriLankan Airlines bowlers Nisatha Mendis and Malinda Fernando bowling two tight overs to restrict Star Garments to 39 for 3 with one over left.
Star Garments needed ten runs off the last over bowled by DA Chamara and two runs from the final delivery.
While going for the winning second run Star Garments benefitted thanks to a misfield on the part of SriLankan Airlines.
They were presented the Maliban Smart Cream Cracker Trophy that was donated by Maliban Biscuit Manufactories who sponsored the event.
Ten teams contested the tournament at the MCA and DSS grounds.
Results:
At MCA ground six matches
HNB: 90/1 beat Colombo Dockyard: 28/4; DPGC: 64/4 beat Commercial Bank 59/1; Sampath Bank 91/1 beat Colombo Dockyard: 33/3; SriLankan Airlines: 80/0 beat DPGC 30/5; Sampath Bank: 54/3 lost to HNB 61/0; SriLankan Airlines: 68/0 beat Commercial Bank: 52/2.
At DSS ground six matches:
Sri Lanka Telecom: 57/1 lost to Hayleys Group: 58/1; Star Garments: 59/1 beat Singer Sri Lanka: Hayleys Group: 71/2 beat Singer Sri Lanka 46/3; Star Garments: 61/4 beat Sri Lanka Telecom 49/4; Singer Sri Lanka 61/3 lost to Sri Lanka Telecom: 62/1; Star Garments: 48/5 lost to Hayleys Group: 49/1
At the completion of the league stage, HNB from Group ‘A’, SriLankan Airlines from Group ‘B’ and Hayleys Group and Star Garments from Group ‘C’ advanced to semi-finals.
Semi-Finals: HNB: 51/3 lost to Star Garments 53/1; SriLankan Airlines: 66/3 beat Hayleys Group: 65/5.
Final: SriLankan Airlines: 48/3 (Nalaka de Zoysa 25 n.o. Asitha Palihakkara 2/3) lost to Star Garments: 49/3 (Asitha Palihakkara 13 retired hurt, D. Madusanka 10, Malinda Fernando 1/6, DA Chamara 1/10)
Special Awards:
Best Bowler – Manjula Sampath (Star Garments)
Best Batsman – Anil Karunaratne (Star Garments)
Most Sixes in the tournament – Hasantha Fernando, (Sampath Bank)
Most Senior Player – Neil de Silva (Commercial Bank 58 years)
Man of the Final – Asitha Palihakkara (Star Garments) (TBR)