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Commercial Credit & Finance unbeaten run came to a grinding halt when Peoples Leasing Co. (Group ‘B’ number four) scored an upset one-wicket win in the first National Development Bank (NDB) sponsored NDB Trophy – MCA ‘C’ division 50-Over (white ball) League Tournament 2020 quarter-final at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa.
It was the splendid team effort that helped PLC to overpower the giant; first the bowling efforts by Isuru Gunasekera and R. Fernando that restricted Commercial Credit to 229 runs in 47.4 overs; then the dogged batting by D. Kaushalya, S. Sandaruwan, G. Mendis, Isuru Gunasekera, Nayanga Kumara and I. Perera (232 for 9 in 46.3 overs).
In the second quarter-final at Panagoda, Sri Lanka Telecom went home for tea as they beat Heshan Flexi Packaging by four wickets with over 20 overs to spare.
In the third quarter-final at MCA, a mesmerising spell of bowling by Gimhan Ashirwada (8.4-2-30-7) propelled Commercial Bank to a fine five-wicket win over Nations Trust Bank.
In a low scoring fourth quarter-final at Moors Group, ‘B’ winner HNB Finance was stretched to the limit by Group ‘A’ number four Morison before winning by 8 runs; HNB Finance shot out for a paltry 122 runs in 25 overs and Morison fell agonisingly short by eight runs, all out for 114 runs in 34.5 overs.
The semi-finals will take place on Saturday to be played by Peoples Leasing vs. Sri Lanka Telecom at MCA, and Commercial Bank vs. HNB Finance at Dombagoda.
Chief scores – all quarter-finals
First quarter-final at Moratuwa: Peoples Leasing Co. beat Commercial Credit & Finance by one wicket
Second quarter-final at Panagoda: Sri Lanka Telecom beat Heshan Flexi Packaging by four wickets
Third quarter-final at MCA – Commercial Bank beat Nations Trust Bank by five wickets
Fourth quarter final at Moors: HNB Finance beat Morison’s by 8 runs