Ace Capital secured a commanding 57-run victory over league leaders Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in the SLC Major Clubs T20 Tournament at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, propelled by an unbeaten century from opener Thanuja Rajapakse. Rajapakse anchored the innings with 118 runs off 66 balls, including 13 fours and five sixes, as Ace Capital posted a formidable total of 193 for four. SSC’s response was curtailed by a disciplined bowling effort led by spinner Anuka Wijewardhana, who claimed three wickets. SSC managed 136 for eight in reply, with wickets falling steadily to bowlers Radhitha de Silva, Traveep Mathew, Isitha Wijesundara, and Chamika Heenatigala.
At the Colts ground, Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) registered a comfortable eight-wicket win against Kurunegala Youth. After bundling out Kurunegala Youth for a below-par 91, pacemen Vishwa Fernando and Chamindu Wijesinghe shared six wickets to dismantle the opposition’s batting lineup. CCC’s opener Nishan Madushka scored an unbeaten 55 off 44 deliveries, including six boundaries, guiding his team to victory with 40 balls to spare.
Later in the day, Badureliya Sports Club overcame Panadura Sports Club by four wickets at a separate venue. Panadura posted a total of 148 for seven, bolstered by late contributions from Kalana Perera with 33 not out off 22 balls, along with Shalith Fernando’s 32 and Thavesha Abhishek’s 22 who helped stabilize the innings after early losses. During the chase, Dilshan de Soysa’s brisk 45 runs off 38 deliveries and an aggressive finish from veteran Seekuge Prasanna, who remained unbeaten with 19 runs off nine balls including two fours and one six, were instrumental in securing Badureliya’s second win of the season with 10 balls remaining.
The Police Sports Club emerged victorious against Nugegoda Sports and Welfare Club by five wickets, thanks to a decisive innings from skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa. After Nugegoda posted 160 for six, powered by a 43-ball 43 from Vinusha Silva, Police SC’s chase saw wickets fall intermittently until Rajapaksa took control, finishing unbeaten on 50 off 30 balls. The win came with six deliveries to spare, with paceman Chaturanga Kumara having earlier picked up four wickets.
NCC beat Colts by 18 runs at the P. Sara Oval. Batting first, NCC reached 158 for nine, largely due to a powerful unbeaten 65 from Chamika Karunaratne, who struck four sixes and two fours in 42 balls. Colts struggled in response, collapsing to 69 for seven before lower-order resistance from Kavija Gamage (36), Akila Dananjaya (34), and Nipun Ranshika (32) proved insufficient. NCC’s bowling attack, spearheaded by paceman Nadin Dutharinee who took three wickets, restricted Colts to 140 all out.
In a high-scoring encounter, Moors Sports Club moved up the Group A standings with a 38-run victory over Bloomfield Recreation Club (BRC). Electing to bat, Moors put up 204 for seven, highlighted by half-centuries from Sadeera Samarawickrama (53 off 36 balls) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (51 off 26 balls). Ramesh Mendis (33) and Sohan de Livera (32) also contributed valuable runs. Despite strong efforts from Isuru Fernando (34), Pawan Sandesh (26), Tharushka Ashel (22), and a late 21 not out from Mohamed Shiraz, BRC managed only 166 for seven, falling short in the chase.