Last year's finalists NCC, Bloomfield make it to quarter-finals

LAST year’s finalists — defending champions NCC and Bloomfield along with Moors SC, Panadura SC, CCC, BRC, Colts and Tamil Union have qualified for the quarter-finals of the SLC Major Clubs T20 following the completion of the group matches yesterday.

- BY SA'ADI THAWFEEQ

CCC with as many as eight national players in their side were beaten by 7 runs by Panadura SC in their final league game played at the P. Sara Oval. The return of Wanindu Hasaranga who led the team and Nuwan Thushara fresh from the IPL did not help CCC who failed to chase down a moderate target of 127 when Panadura SC restricted them to 119-9.

Only two batsmen got into double figures; Nishan Madushka making 52 off 38 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) at the top and Isuru Udana (23* off 17 balls, 3 fours). 20-year-old Vishen Halambage broke the back of the CCC batting with career best figures of 3/25 that included the wickets of the two cricketing brothers Wanindu Hasaranga and Chathuranga de Silva. Earlier, Panadura SC invited to bat first scored 126-6 with Dushan Hemantha playing a captain’s innings of 59* off 34 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes).