Kanrich Finance and CDB enter MCA ‘D’ Division final

Kanrich Finance ‘B’ and Citizens Development Business (CDB) carved an easy path to the final of the ongoing 14th Elephant House Lemonade Trophy, MCA D Division 40-over League Tournament 2017.

In the semi-finals, played on the day of Thai Pongal, Kanrich Finance ‘B’ demolished Softlogic Holdings by eight wickets while Citizens Development Business crushed the Expolanka Group by five wickets. 

Softlogic was restricted to a mere 116 runs in 32.5 overs by the varied Kanrich bowling attack of U. Madushan (7-33-4) Tharusha Iddamalgoda (7.5-18-2) and C. Devinda (8-1-24-2). 

Kanrich Finance wasted little sweat in reaching their target in just 26.3 overs, losing two wickets, spearheaded by a second wicket stand of 91 runs from 125 balls between Tharusha Iddamalgoda (48)  and Shashika Thivanka  (51 in 80 balls inclusive of 5 fours).

CDB skipper Vishwa Ratnayake and Shanil Perera proved lethal for Expolanka as they came up with sterling all-round performances. Ratnayake (8-1-17-3) and Perera (2.3-1-4-3), after demolishing Expolanka for 125 runs in 31.3 overs, paired up for an unbroken stand of 81 runs in 101 balls for the sixth wicket.  Ratnayake remained unbroken on 58 off 76 balls, hitting 3 sixes and 8 fours, with Perera on 35, as CDB reached their target with over 10 overs to spare and five wickets remaining. 

Kanrich Finance beat Hilton Colombo Residencies by nine wickets in the pre-quarterfinals and Heshan Flexi Packaging by seven wickets in the quarterfinals. CDB beat Hemas Group by 26 runs in the pre-quarterfinals and beat NDB Bank by 93 runs in the quarterfinals. 

Match results 

Semifinal at MCA: Kanrich Finance ‘B’ beat Softlogic Holdings by eight wickets 

Softlogic – 116 in 32.5 overs (A. Udayanga 39, U. Madushan 4/33, T. Iddamalgoda 2/18, C. Devinda 2/24)

Kanrich ‘B’ - 117 for 2 in 26.3 overs (S. Thivanka 51, T. Iddamalgoda 48)

Semifinal at Thurstan: Citizens Development Business beat Expolanka Group by five wickets

Expolanka – 125 in 31.3  overs (Heshan Hewanayake 40, C. Jayasinghe 25, Vishwa Ratnayake 3/17,  Aravinda Akuragoda 2/23,  Shanil Perera 3/4)

CDB – 130 for 5 in 29.3 overs  (Vishwa Hewanayake 58 not out, Shanil Perera 35 not out, H. Hewanayake 2/23)

The final between Kanrich Finance ‘B’ and Citizens Development Business (both unbeaten) will take place on 22 January at the MCA grounds, commencing at 10.00 a.m.