The 24th Singer-MCA Premier League Knockout final will be worked out this Sunday (23rd October) between MAS Unichela and Commercial Credit at MCA Grounds.
MAS Unichela led by Chamara Silva has been exceptional throughout this season as they won the league tournament convincingly topping the table with 28 points from 6 wins out of 7 games. Commercial Credit captained by the experienced Upul Tharanga ended at the number three spot in the points’ table with 24 points, claiming 5 wins from 7 matches.
MAS Unichela registered their maiden knockout victory in 2012 under the leadership of Malin Silva and went onto regain the title in 2014 & 2015, both under Chamara Silva. Commercial Credit has never won the Singer-MCA knockout championship. They came close last year but lost the final at the hands of MAS Active in a rain-marred clash.
Ashan Priyanjan was the top run-scorer for Commercial Credit in the league tournament as he stroked 223 runs from 6 matches while Chamara Kapugedara managed 190 runs from 4 games, his 170 from 121 balls with 10 sixes and 12 fours against HNB is the best individual score this season. Fast-bowler Lahiru Madushanka who ended at the 4th position in the top wicket-takers’ list with 14 wickets will be a crucial part in the Commercial Credit bowling lineup.
MAS Unichela will clearly miss the services of their top run-getter Danushka Gunathilaka who is also the top run-scorer in the league tournament due to national duty. He slammed 464 runs in 7 games with a stunning average of 66.29. Senior statesman, TM Dilshan amassed 349 runs in 7 matches while Mahela Udawatta clobbered 268 runs in the same number of games. Dilruwan Perera and Malinga Bandara ended up with 15 and 13 wickets respectively.
Road to Finals
MAS Unichela booked their place in the final when they defeated MAS Active and Dimo respectively in the quarter-finals and semi-finals stages. They comprehensively beat their arch-rivals, MAS Active by 7 wickets while demolishing Dimo by 195 runs last weekend.
Commercial Credit had two close wins over Textured Jersey and league runner-up, John Keells Holdings respectively in the lead up to the final. In the quarter-finals, Textured Jersey were undone by 35 runs while John Keells Holdings succumbed to a 30-run defeat in the semi-finals.
Final Say
With the Sri Lanka Test tour of Zimbabwe coming up and the Sri Lanka ‘A’ one-day series against West Indies ‘A’ also happening, there is a big possibility that many national stars will be missed by both teams, nevertheless if weather permits, expect a cracker of an encounter.
Catch the LIVE Action of this exciting limited-overs final on ThePapare.com/Dialog TV Channel No.1/Dialog MyTv on 23rd October, 9.30am onwards.
MAS Unichela (from) : Chamara Silva (Captain), T.M. Dilshan, Dhanushka Gunatilaka, Mahela Udawatte, Farveez Maharoof, Dilruwan Perera, Malinga Bandara, Rashmika Opatha, Tilaksha Sumanasiri, Ishara Amarasinghe, Lahiru Jayaratne, Lassana Perera, Chathura Peiris, Ramith Rambukwella & Sahan Nanayakkara.
Commercial Credit (from) : Upul Tharanga (Captain), Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Dilhan Cooray, Ashan Priyanjan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chathuranga de Silva, Imesh Udayanga, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Kavinda Silva, Shrimal Mendis & Lahiru Gamage.
 between MAS Unichela and Commercial Credit at MCA Grounds.){kind=link}