Mullaittivu & Hambantota Cricketers Meet in Tournament

Following an initiative taken by the 592 Brigade Headquarters of the 59 Division under the Security Force Headquarters – Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT), a friendly T-20 cricket tournament got underway between Hambantota District Cricket team and Mullaittivu District Cricket team in Mullaittivu on Thursday (8).

Hambantota district team invited Mullaittivu district team to bat first after winning the toss in front of a jam-packed crowd at Vidyananda school grounds in Mullaittivu before the match got off the ground.

Mullaittivu district team scored 125 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs, leaving a target of 126 runs for Hambantota cricketers to excel. The arrangement was supported by Major General Dushyantha Rajaguru, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu.

However, Hambantota cricketers were unable to trail the target of 126 to win the game but scored 123 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Mullaittivu district cricketers emerged triumphant by 3 runs and carried the championship.

Mr Arunacholam Andan of the Mullaittivu team was named the Best Batsman of the Match for his exceptional 41 runs while Mr P.K Lasantha Sri Lal was adjudged the Best Bowler in the tournament for his excellent achievements (2 Wickets for 15 runs). Mr Arunacholam Andan of the Mullaittivu team was adjudged the Man of the Match.

The friendly T-20 tournament, patronized by Colonel Chanaka Ratnayake, Brigade Commander, 592 Brigade, received supervisory support from Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 59 Division.

Mr. Ariyaratnam Raviharan and Mr Rajendran Thasaris, Vavuniya district cricket umpires from the Sri Lanka Cricket Control Board provided umpire services to the cricket match.

Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, GOC, 59 Division attended the event as the Chief Guest and distributed prizes to the winners, together with Mr Sudarlingam Prabhakaran, Deputy Director Education, Mullaittivu, Mr K Shivalingam, principal, Mullaittivu Vidyananda school, Dr Sanjaya Herath, Chairman, Hambantota District Sports Club. A large gathering of cricket fans, including members of the Security Forces were present.