Sri Lanka Schools: Isipatana in stunning 7-wicket big match win (8 March 1999)

8 March 1999

Sri Lanka Schools: Isipatana in stunning 7-wicket big match win

Chris Dhambarage

Isipatana scored a stunning seven wicket victory over their traditional rivals Thurstan College in their 36th annual cricket encounter concluded at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, yesterday.

This was their fourth win in the series having recorded their previous victory in 1986 under the captaincy of Chethaka Perera. The Thurstanites were dismissed for 175 runs in their second innings leaving Isipatana a victory target of 86 runs from 26 overs.

Isipatana completed their task in the 15th over with Kanchana Rodrigo leading their run chase with an unbeaten knock of 35. However it was Milinda Wickremasinghe and Malinda Abeyratne who really fashioned their victory through some accurate bowling. The two leg spinners bowled splendidly and shared six wickets between them with the back up support coming from Manoj Fernando and Nilantha Atapattu.

The Thurstanites however put up a determined performance in their second innings with the tailenders making valuable contributions. This time it was Mohamed Fiyaz and number eleven Gihan de Silva who really frustrated the opposition with a last wicket stand of 56 runs. They in fact equalled the series record set by Isipatana's Malinda Abeyratne and Milinda Wickremasinghe during the first innings of the match.

Mohamed Fiyaz and Gihan de Silva batted for a total 27 overs after Thurstan had lost their ninth wicket at 119. Fiyaz hoisted one six and struck five boundaries and occupied the crease for 103 minutes. He received excellent support from Gihan de Silva who faced 76 deliveries for his unbeaten knock of 16.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)