Roshan guides MAS Active to MCA ‘G’ Division title

Opening batsman and wicket-keeper, Roshan Wijesekera with a rock solid 62 runs in 46 balls, inclusive of one six and eight fours, guided MAS Active to a convincing 24 runs win over, Citizens Development Business Finance ‘B’ team, in the 11th Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt) Ltd, sponsored, ‘Honda’ Trophy – MCA ‘G’ division 25 Over League Tournament 2022 Final, concluded at the MCA Grounds on Saturday(23).

Thus, MAS Active took sweet revenge over CDB ‘B’ on their earlier loss in the League stage by eight runs whilst, Roshan Wijesekera took his series tally to 345 runs in nine innings.

MAS Active, who won the toss and batted, posted a respectable 177 for nine in 25 overs with Roshan Wijesekera playing the anchor, helped by breeze innings by skipper Geeth Sankalpa (26 runs in nine balls, inclusive of four towering sixes) and a useful 13 runs in five balls with two sixes by the number nine batsman, Heshan Thenuwara. Spinner, Isuru Jayaranga (5-22-4) bowled intelligently for CDB ‘B’.

CDB ‘B’ unbeaten up to the final was felled by their complacent batting. Most of their batsmen going for big shots early were out getting caught inside the ring.

CDB ‘B’ Captain Weranga Dissanayake was one such victim. He opened the batting with Tharindu Madusanka. In the second ball he faced, he went for a big hit and got caught in the deep by Heshan Thenuwara (0 for 1).

CDB ‘B’ never recovered from that shock start and four more wickets fell at 22, 23, 51 and 79. They finally succumbed to 153 for 09 in 25 overs. The match-winning bowlers for MAS Active were Gihan Charuka (5-32-3), Dushamantha Dissanayake (5-29-1), Thilina Nupahewa (5-36-1) and Tharaka Sandaruwan (4-15-2).

Match Referee, Sudath Munaweera had no hesitation in naming MAS Active’s, Roshan Wijesekera (62 runs, one stump, and one catch) as his Man of the Match.

The other three special awards, based on performances up to the semi-finals went to Tharaka Sampath Silva from Brandix Essentials, best bowler (eight matches, 187 balls, 181 runs, 18 wickets) and Pawantha Maduranga Weerasinghe from Softlogic Life, best batsman and Man of the Series (eight matches, 339 runs and 13 wickets for 183 runs).

Awards were given away by Director/CEO, Charaka Perera (Chief Guest), General Manager Administration, Damitha Jayasundera, Guest of Honour, both from Stafford Motor Co. (Pvt Ltd; President, Nalin Wickramesinghe, Ex-co Member and Chairman, Digital and Information Committee, Hasitha Dassanayake and Secretary Tournament Committee, Lakmal de Silva, all from MCA.