Autokitz CC in a thrilling 3 wicket win against Engmed Institute 

M.H.Yakeem 

Autokitz Cricket Club recorded a thrilling 3 wicket win against Engmed Institute in a 50 overs league Cricket encounter, played at the Army Artillery ground Panagoda recently. 

Autokitz CC winning the toss invited Engmed Institute to take the first lease of the wicket. Engmed Institute lost an early wicket at the score at 3 runs on board with Achintha Ranasinghe being ruled out LBW  of the bowling of Sineth Withanage. The second wicket to fall was of Rehan Poddalage, bowled by Panitha Dangalla at the score at 21 runs on board. Wickets falling at regular intervals with a steady line and length bowling by Sineth Withanage, Panitha Dangalla and Geeshan Ayeshana claiming 2 wickets apart, Omira Vihan and Geesara Dangalla claiming 1 wicket each, 2 extra ordinary catches taken by Isurunath Dissanayake and Gaveesha Buddhimal, Engmed Institute were reeling at 8 wickets down for 74 runs with opening batter Vindana Dinsara  playing an anchor role at the wicket. Ishan Perera claiming the 9th wicket and Pandula Amarasinghe claiming the last and prize wicket of opener Vindana Dinsara, who scored a well compiled 44 runs in 121 balls were all out for a mere 133 runs. Isuru Wadduwage was the only other batter to reach double figures. 

Autokitz CC in reply, openers Ravindu Samarasinghe and Danushka Chaturanga got off to good start adding 16 runs for the first wicket and with the dismissal of Ravindu Samarasinghe, Gaveesha Buddhimal joining Danushka Chaturanga, the pair together added 53 runs for the 2nd wicket. Danushka Chaturanga stroking a marvellous knock scoring 48 runs in 44 balls including 4 fours and 2 sixes was the next batter to get dismissed being run out at the score at 69 runs on board followed by Gaveesha Buddhimal also being run out scoring 14 runs at the score at 70 runs on board. Contributions from Pandula Amarasinghe scoring 20 runs and Isurunath Dissanayake playing a gallant innings for his team, scoring 25 runs not out and 4 more wickets falling including Pandula Amarasinghe at 106 runs, Panitha Dangalla at 119 runs, Ishan Perera at 127 runs and Geeshan Ayeshana at 132 runs, Isurunath Dissanayake playing a pivotal role at the wicket took Autokitz CC to get past the winning target in the 29th over. Kenon Gerreyn was the most impressive bowler claiming 2 wickets for 4 runs, also Achintha claiming 2 wickets and Sehandu Ayeshan claiming 1 wicket was the pick of the bowlers for Engmed Institute. 

Scores : – 

Engmed Institute   –  133 all out in 45.1 overs 

Vinduna Dinsara 44, Isuru Wadduwage 14, Pantiha Dangalla 2/26, Sineth Withanage 2/17, Geehana Ayeshana 2/16

Autokitz Cricket Club  –    134/7 in 29.4 overs