MOF turn over new leaf with maiden cricket title

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) Cricket Team created history when they clinched their maiden domestic title by emerging champions in the State Services ‘E’ Division T20 Tournament.

MOF, led by all-rounder Saman Kumara remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and overcame the Labour Ministry Team by 46 runs in the final played at the Irrigation Grounds in Ratmalana.

MOF batting first hit up 161 for five in 20 overs with Indunil Prasad smashing a 33-ball 40 while Lahiru Hettiarachchi (29), Waruna Vishwajith (26) and Udayanga Dahanayaka (19) also made useful contributions.

In reply, the Labour Ministry were dismissed for 115 in 19.1 overs with Player-of-the-Final Prasad claiming two wickets for 15 runs while Amila Prasanna was named as the Best Fielder.

“I think this time we had a very strong team compared to the previous years and the biggest advantage was that all 11 players in the team were able to bat and also we had about seven to eight bowlers in the side,” Skipper Saman Kumara told the Sunday Observer.

“We have a very strong bowling combination including a left-arm spinner, right-arm off-spinner, two left-arm fast bowlers and a right-arm fast bowler, who are capable of bowling at any stage of the innings.”

“This is also a historic moment for us because it is the very first time that the Ministry of Finance has won a major domestic cricket tournament in the country,” Kumara said.

“We missed out the 40-Overs League Tournament due to a tough Duckworth/Lewis target because of the bad weather and we had to settle with the runners-up position after a keen contest.”

“We had a clear vision of winning both titles this year and each player contributed in a big way towards our success and I must admire the commitment and their discipline on the field throughout the tournaments,” Kumara said.

“We have only a couple of players coming from Colombo and most of them are from the suburbs and outstations but they have managed their training sessions accordingly without disrupting their day-to-day activities,” Kumara added.

The MOF Cricket Squad: Saman Kumara (Captain), Udayanga Dahanayaka (Vice-Captain), Indunil Prasad, Sameera Perera, Amila Prasanna, Isuru Sampath, Prabath Chathuranga, Lahiru Lakmal, Thusith Shanaka, Waruna Vishwajith, Lahiru Hettiarachchi, Hansaka Maduranga, Namal Ravindra and Vidura Chandana.

Source - Sunday Observer