A Trincomalee-Batticaloa combined schools team knocked the daylights out of Seenigama FOG, a side that had three Youth World Cup cricketers at the on-going Murali Harmony Cup at the Kilinochchi Central College ground.
The Trinco-Batticaloa players batting first scored 149 for 8 in 20 overs and then restricted tournament favourites Seenigama to 132 for 9 in the 20 overs.
It marked the second major upset of the tournament after the Jaffna Schools team humiliated Trinity College who this year bagged the schools T-20 title.
Seenigama struggled to keep up with the required run rate against some disciplined seam bowling and lively fielding in front of another large Kilinochchi crowd and a carnival-like atmosphere.
Medium pacer Asela Sampath sealed Seenigama’s fate with three wickets in an over and finished with 4 for 17 to earn the Man of the Match award which was a special ball signed by Muttiah Muralidaran.
After a dramatic gymnastics display by the army to keep the 4000 spectators entertained during the luncheon interval, St Peter’s College proved too strong for a Kilinochchi Combined XI.
Kilinochchi started promisingly with the bat, but lost momentum after a middle order collapse and thereafter could only post a modest 96 for 9 against their more experienced opponents.
St. Peter’s College after their one-wicket win against Trinco-Batti on the first day then raced to their target in just eight overs and won by seven wickets as Lahiru Milantha top-scored with an unbeaten 48 with attractive and powerful strokes.
In Jaffna, Trinity College recovered quickly from a shock defeat to Jaffna Combined Schools in their tournament opener with a comfortable 79-run win against a Combined Mannar and Vavuniya team.
At Kilinochchi
Trinco - Batti Combined 149 for 8 in 20 overs (AJM Riyaz 23, S. Sanjeewa 33, Tharindu Namal 2 for 14, Kasun Tharaka 2 for 20)
Seenigama FOG 132 for 9 in 20 overs (Udesh Priyanga 33, Pabasara Waduge 20, Asela Sampath 4 for 17)
At Kilinochchi
Kilinochchi Combined 96 for 9 in 20 overs (S. Kabilan 21, J Nilakshan 17, Chamila Obeysekara 3 for 9, Dushan Hemantha 3 for 20)
St Peter’s College 99 for 3 in 8 overs (Lahiru Milantha 48 n.o., Ranitha Liyanaarchchi 20,
At Oddusuddan
Anuradhapura Central 180 for 7 in 20 overs (Chathushka Senanayake 43, A.Sandaruwan 36, J Prashant 2 for 19, K. Nihanthan 2 for 42)
Mullaitivu Combined 68 in 16 overs (A Anchayan 20, Jagath Sandaruwan 3 for 5, Jagath Chamika 3 for 13)
At Oddusudan
Dharmasoka College 154 for 9 in 20 overs (Mohan de Silva 83, I.Chaturanga 24, R.Jayaratne 3 for 29, Kushal de Silva 2 for 29)
Maliyadeva College 148 for 9 in 20 overs (S.Dassanayake 63, T. Manishka 25, Yohan de Silva 4 for 14)
At Jaffna
Trinity College 162 for 4 in 20 overs (Ron Chandraguptha 42, Dinuk Wickramanayake 36, Dinesh Thamitha 2 for 27)
Mannar/Vavuniya 83 for 9 in 20 overs, (K Haripanavan 20, V Vithushan 16, Charith Sudarka 3 for 17)
At Jaffna
Jaffna Combined 155 for 9 in 20 overs (Edward Edin 41, J Clinton 27, WGN Laksiri 2 for 24)
Debarawewa MV 103 for 9 in 20 overs (SADU Mihiran 40, WGT Indushan 24, AM Norbet 3 for 23, JT Erick 2 for 13)
