[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eagle Logistics bagged their maiden Mercantile Cricket title, when they lifted the glittering “DPGC” Challenge Trophy, as they cruised to a comfortable 48 runs win over Allianz Insurance, in the 18th David Pieris Group of Companies sponsored – MCA “E” division 25 Over League Tournament 2020 Final , concluded at the MCA Grounds, on Saturday, 12th September.
The tournament took almost 07 months to complete due to the ongoing pandemic ; it commenced on 22nd February , stopped on 14th March , re-commenced on 15th August, finally reaching its destination as above.
Eagle Logistics, who won the toss and choose to bat, put up a moderate 144 for 7 in 25 overs, mainly due to the 75 runs stand in 85 balls for the 2nd wicket between, opening batsman , Dineth Thimodaya (52 in 61 balls inclusive of a six and 05 fours) & one drop batsman, Dulaj Egodage (44 on 53 balls, inclusive of a six and a four).
Chasing , 145 runs to win (RPO 5.8), Allianz started off on the wrong foot , losing their anchor man, Charinda Fernando (5) in the 2nd ball of the innings.
Fernando started the innings with a cracking boundary, off the first ball and in the next delivery got run out going for the 2nd run ; Fernando drove powerfully to extra cover, took the first run easily & ambitiously turned for the 2nd run; fielder Dineth Thimodaya picked up clean on the run and sent in a flashing throw into the wicket keeper’s gloves, to see Fernando fall inches short of the crease (1 for 5)
Charinda’s opening partner, M.S. Sampan (01) did not last long , as he got his furniture disturbed by opening bowler, Asanka Perera ( 2 for 10) .
One drop batsman, Damian de Buyzer (28 in 51 balls) together with his skipper, Sameera Fernando ( 24 in 22 balls) then put on 45 runs in 38 balls for the 3rd wicket.
Dulaj Egodage continued to be a thorn in the flesh to Allianz, as he picked up the prize wicket of Sameera Fernando, who was getting set for bigger things, caught well in the deep by Skipper, Prabuddha Ranaweera (55 for 3 in 10.3 overs)
Prabuddha Ranaweera rubbed salt on the wound, as he took up bowling , got rid of Allianz only hope, veteran, Ranga Dias cheaply for 02 runs ( 57 for 4 in 12.4 overs)
In the meantime spinners, Prageeth Fernando ( 5-35-3) and Mohamed Farri (4.4 – 13 – 3) put the rest of the batsmen in a panic, as Allianz crumbled to 96 runs in 21.4 overs.
Match Referee, Sena Nandiweera picked Eagle Logistics all rounder, Dulaj Egodage ( 44 runs, 01 for 6 in 03 overs and a good catch) as the Man of the Match
The other 03 special awards, based on performances up to the semi-finals, went to – right arm off spinner, Geethaka Chandeepa Alwis, Best Bowler, from Commercial Leasing & Finance (07 matches, 192 balls, 171 runs, 18 wickets, Avg 9.5, Economy 5.34, best 5 for 18) & a “double” to 3DH International Groups, K.M. Nilantha Wijekoon , Best Batsman and Man of the Series ( batting: 08 innings , 03 not outs, 304 runs, inclusive of a century & 03 half centuries, 18 sixes & 35 fours, Avg. 60.8, strike rate168.9 ; bowling : 180 balls, 137 runs, 09 wickets, Economy 4.57)
The awards presentation followed the final & the presenters were Ex-Co Member, Chairman, Ground Committee & Tournament Committee Member, Duminda Pinto, Chairman, Tournament Committee, Tarindra Kalupahana, Chief Marketing Officer, Assetline Leasing Co. Ltd., Ajantha Premasiri (Guest of Honor) , Group Chairman & Managing Director, David Pieris Group of Companies and President MCA, Rohana Dissanayake & Deputy General Manager , David Pieris Motor Co. (Pvt) Ltd, Manjula de Alwis (Chief Guest).
Chief Scores
Eagle Logistics : 144 for 7 in 25 overs (Dineth Thimodaya 52, Dulaj Egodage 44, Nishan Fernando 17, Isuru Mendis 17, Dulaj Jayawardena 2/24, Mayura Ranasinghe 2/27)
Allianz Insurance – 96 all out in 21.4 overs (Damian de Buyzer 28, Sameera Fernando 24, Dhanushka Kumaraxx 15, Prageeth Fernando 3/35, Mohamed Farri 3/13)
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