By M.H.Yakeem
Solve X1 in a thrilling win
Solve X1 overcame NCC academy by 8 runs in a thrilling 50 overs Cricket encounter, which was played for the M.W. Rajasingham trophy, organised by NCC and played on the 6 February at the NCC grounds.
The Chairperson of Solve Foundation, Mrs. Bavadharani Rajasingham who has taken a great interest to form this team from North, going out of her way along with her husband Deepan Rajasingham to encourage more talented youngsters to take up the game , where their hidden talents could be identified and expressed their thanks to the Board and the Officials of the NCC and specially to Asoka de Silva, Lalith, Tilak and Frankie for giving Solve X1 from North an opportunity to play against them in Colombo.
Also the spectators who witnessed this match saw the two teams greeting each other after the game and the conclusion of the awards ceremony, which we have to realise that ” Unity can be achieved through Sportsmanship “.
Solve X1 batting first , made a challenging total of 217 runs all out in 48.3 overs with Jelaam koban and Jeyakumar Sanjeewan putting up a solid 57 runs partnership for the third wicket with the dismissal of Jelaam Koban , Anthony Arunprakash joining Jeyakumar Sanjeewan ,the pair together added another 54 runs for the fourth wicket and valuable runs coming from Selvarajan Rushanthan and Mahadevan Kobian took them to a commanding position.
In an incident, where a loud appeal from the NCC Cricketers, the Solve X1 batsmen who was at the crease walked back to the pavilion thinking that he was ruled out, but the two experience umpires, who officiated in this match took a decision to call him back and give him a chance to play as a not out batsmen and this shows the true Sportsmanship we have in the game of Cricket.
NCC chasing this challenging total was at one stage reeling at 4 wickets down for 26 runs, but Hansaja Gunasekara and Ashan Hapuarachchi, the pair together took up the responsibilities and made a stunning partnership of 129 runs for the fifth wicket and with the dismissal of Hansaja Gunasekera who was ruled run out going for an unwanted run and Ashan Hapuarachchi trying to go for a big hit was caught at fine leg, but Skipper Vimukthi Bandara, Shamalka Heshan, Nuwan Jayaratne and Nimendra playing at their best could not keep with the required rate and fell short of the target.
Solve X1 – 217 all out in 48.3 overs
Jelaam Kobian 47, Jeyakumar Sanjeewan 48, Anthony Arunprakash 45, Selvarajan Rushanthan 11, Mahadevan Kobian 15 not out, Sasindu Kavithilaka 2/17, Ashan Hapuarachchi 2/39, Nuwin Charula 3/47, Vimukthi Bandara 3/28
NCC Academy X1 – 209/9:in 50 overs
Hansaja Gunasekera 69, Ashan Hapuarachchi 44, Vimukthi Bandara 19, Shamalka Heshan 14, Nuwan Jayaratne 10, Nimendra 12 not out, Nirniyanathan Nirukshan 3/38, Thavarasa Pratheep 2/34
