The final quarter-final of the 29th Singer-MCA Super Premier League 2022 was played today between Hayleys and HNB at Bloomfield Grounds, as the latter recorded a comfortable 5-wicket win.
HNB, placed 5th in the points table at the end of the league stage below defending Champions Hayleys, put up a clinical performance with both bat and ball as they outclassed Hayleys after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. The 45-over game, shortened after a delayed start due to a wet outfield, saw Hayleys scoring a modest 212 and losing 9 wickets in their allotted 45 overs.
The standout performance for Hayleys with the bat was all-rounder Lahiru Samarakoon, who scored a quickfire 27-ball 49 with 4 boundaries and 4 sixes. Batting at number 9, the big left-hander was involved in a 57-run 9th wicket stand with Kalana Perera to help Hayleys bailout from an embarrassing 137 for 8.
>>Photos – Hayleys Group ‘A’ vs HNB ‘A’ | 29th Singer-MCA Super Premier League – Quarter<<
Apart from Samarakoon, wicket-keeper Vishad Randika and opener Ron Chandraguptha too contributed with 48 and 42 respectively.
HNB’s decent bowling effort was then backed up by a brilliant run-chase as the veteran Chamara Silva guided HNB towards victory, putting up an unbeaten 134-run stand for the 6th wicket. The duo had to rebuild the HNB innings from 80 for 5 after opener Kasun Abeyrathne departed for a well-made 56.
Silva played a more cautious knock, taking 75 balls for his 65, while Jayasena scored his 66 in less than a run-a-ball, spending just 64 balls as HNB reached their target with 3 overs to spare.
“Interesting Fact – Silva, who is still going strong in his 40s, has made his international debut for Sri Lanka (ODI in 1999 vs Australia at RPS Colombo) even before his 22-year old batting partner Jayasena was born (2000).”
BRIEF SCORES
Quarter Final 2 – Hayleys vs HNB at Bloomfield Grounds, Colombo
Toss: HNB
Hayleys – 212/9 (45/45) Lahiru Samarakoon 49, Vishad Randika 48, Ron Chandraguptha 42, Kemira Wijenayake 2/23, Madawa Warnapura 2/36, Usman Ishak 2/38
HNB – 214/5 (42/45) Ranmith Jayasena 66*, Chamara Silva 65*, Kasun Abeyrathne 56, Chathuranga De Silva 2/25, Prabhath Jayasuriya 2/39
HNB won by 5 wickets
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
HNB will now meet the unbeaten CDB Finance in the semi-final.
Semi Finals
- 21st May – 1st Semi Final – Mode Engineering vs John Keells Holdings at BRC Grounds, Colombo
- 21st May – 2nd Semi Final – CDB Finance vs HNB at Thurstan College Grounds, Colombo
