Sri Lanka discard Dushan Hemantha grabs 8/29

By M. Shamil Amit

Sri Lanka leg-spinning discard Dushan Hemantha grabbed eight wickets for just 29 runs as his team Maliban Biscuits booked a slot in the final of the 32nd MCA Super Premier League beating Fairfirst Insurance at the NCC ground yesterday.

Another highlight for Maliban Biscuits was the identical knocks of 57 by openers Hiran Jayasundara and Sangeeth Cooray in their team reaching a 131 target for the loss of just two wickets after Hemantha’s eight wicket haul bundled out Fairfirst for 130. Fairfirst Insurance invited to take first lease of the wicket apart from the top three batsmen, openers Thanuka Dabare and Gaviru Senhas who together added 42 runs, and Sohan de Livera who shared a 47 runs stand for the second wicket with Thanuka, the others failed to make any impression.

They were well placed on 89 for 2 but lost three quick wickets for the addition of just 13 runs and slid to 102 for 5 followed by Fairfirst losing their last five wickets for the addition of 28 runs, bowled out for 130 runs.

Sangeeth’s knock of 57 in 50 balls had seven boundaries while Hiran remained unbeaten on 57 which had seven boundaries as he helped his side race to the target with ease in the 25th over.

The second semi-final between CD ‘A’ and Hayleys Group ‘A’ will be played on Friday at the MCA ground.