The Sri Lanka Cricket driven Major Clubs T20 final between CCC and Panadura SS was highlighted by two compelling innings of equal stature by the two opening batsmen of the two sides with Lasith Croospulle’s 78 off 38 brilliance filled with 5 sixes and 6 boundaries the center piece to CCCs 6-wicket stroll in the park 178 for 4 off 17.4 overs to the title that took away the shine off 20-year old Vishen Halambage’s brilliant 37-ball 73 heightened by 6 sixes and 5 boundaries in his side’s172 for 8 off 20. CCCs superior all-round depth made the ultimate difference.
Halambage’s knock was under pressure of Panadura losing 4 wickets for 32 setbacks after being put into bat as he added 64 for the fifth wicket with skipper Dushan Hemantha 16 when he was dismissed by Isuru Udana to a catch by Nishan Madushka with the score 96 after 11.5 overs having accounted for more than three quarter of the score.
It took a ninth wicket 55 partnership between Senitha Halambage unbeaten on 36 off 17 with 3 sixes and an equal number of boundaries, and Vishwa Lahiru 20 off 18 with a solitary boundary to lift Panadura from the dumps of 117 for 7 after 15.1 overs to setting CCC a challenging target.
CCC quick Vishwa Fernando was superb with the ball claiming 2 wickets for just 7 runs off his 3 overs with Chathuranga de Silva 2 for 26.
CCCs suffered a first ball scare of Nishan Madushka dismissed first ball of the innings by Nimesh Vimukthi who had him snapped up by Sahan Mihira.
But Lasith Croospulle took charge joined by Dulnith Sigera 38 off 34 with 4 boundaries and a six in posting106 for the second wicket after 11.2 overs when his superb innings was ended by Nisala Tharaka who had him edging to wicket-keeper Sasindu Malshan. Eight deliveries later Panadura got the big wicket of Croospulle for 7 caught by Lahiru off Senitha Halambage with CCC 123 for 3 after 12.4 overs.
But from that point it was the de Silva brothers show all the way with former Sri Lanka skipper, the imaginative all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga hammering 25 off 13 hitting a six and 2 to the ropes in the company of elder brother Chathuraga de Silva 20 off 10 smashing 2 to the stands after Inuka Karannagoda had been trapped leg before wicket for 7 by Panadura skipper Dushan Hemantha when the score was 147 into the first delivery of the 16th over.
Chief Scores
Panadura SC 172/8 (20 Overs)
Vishen Halambage 73, Senitha Halambage n.o. 36, Vishwa Lahiru 20, Dushan Hemantha 16, Gimandu Malkan 14, Vishwa Fernando 2/7, Chathuranga de Silva 2/26, Inuka Karannagoda 1/17, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/35, Isuru Udana 1/51)
CCC 178/4 (17.4 Overs)
Lasith Croospulle 78, Dulnith Sigera 38, Wanindu Hasaranga n.o. 25, Chathuranga de Silva n.o. 20, Nimesh Vimukthi 1/26, Nisala Tharaka 1/28, Dushantha Hemantha 1/33)