By Srian Obeyesekere
Thirty-one year old right arm medium pacer Mohamed Shiraz struck gold in a typically black magic 4 for 38 height of his career surge to the limelight in wrecking Colombo for 179 in bowling Dambulla to Sri Lanka Cricket run domestic cricket’s major long version Super Eight 4-Day Championship title by an emphatic 119-run champagne early triumph on the fourth and final day of the mega final at Colombo’s R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Indeed, it was Shiraz’ glory day as the BRC product, who cut his teeth in the game at Madeena College, Kandy claimed the prize wicket of Colombo and Sri Lanka ODI Captain Charith Asalanka for 39, adding just 6 runs to his overnight 29 as the left hander was induced to nicking a delivery to wicket keeper Anjala Bandara in tilting the opposition’s 154 for 4 even keel overnight high, looking set to clearing the 145 deficit to the winning 299 target following opener Dhananjaya Lakshan’s spadework industrious 84 that had set them up.
But alas! Colombo’s great expectations evaporated in next to no time as the last six wickets crashed for a mere 25 run in the space of 15 balls with both of the remaining anchor men including first innings top scorer Sharujan Shanmuganathan following his captain back to the pavilion wrested out by Nisala Abeyratne for 8 nicking him to Bandara.
The rest was polishing off formality with none of the last six Colombo batsmen managing double figures on the day.
A jubilant Dambulla and Sri Lanka test Captain Dhananjaya de Silva received the trophy and Rs.5 million prize money from Chairman of Selectors, Pramodya Wickramasinghe.
Colombo’s Kavindu Pathiratne was adjudged Player of the Final for his 5 for 51 as well as Most Valuable Player of the Tournament for his two 5-wicket hauls and all-round contribution with the bat, Colombo’s Chamod Battage Best Bowler for his 4 for 21 in the final fetching Rs.1.5 million, and Galle’s Sadeera Samarawickrama Best Batsman.
Chief Scores:
Dambulla – 222/9 declared and 222 all out
Nishan Madushka 43, Vishad Randika 21, Lasith Croospulle 14, Sonal Dinusha 12, Anjala Bandara 32, Kavindu Pathiratne 17, Akila Dananjaya 53*
Pramod Madushan 2/48, Chamod Battage 4/55, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/16
Colombo 143 & 179 all out (50.2 Overs)(target 299)
Dhananjaya Lakshan 84, Nuwanidu Fernando 23, Charith Asalanka 35
Mohammed Shiraz 4/38, Nisala Abeyratne 2/23