Run feast as Sadun hits another century

By Richard Boxall

Sri Lanka Lions opener Chamal Sadun hit 114 in 56 balls to help his team beat Limassol Zalmi by 65 runs in the CCA BAO Financial 40-over cup at Ypsonas on Saturday. In a match reduced to 35 overs per side, the Lions made 365-8 before bowling out Zalmi for 302.

This is believed to be the first time in Cyprus that both teams in a match have scored over 300 runs. Sadun’s century was his second in succession, after making 156 against Limassol Moufflons in the T20 league the previous week. He received support from Sachithra Tharanga (69 in a first-wicket stand of 170), BLCS Kumara (53) and Roshan Lakmal (51).

Zalmi made a good effort in reply and were up with the required scoring rate until they were all out. Openers Umar Shah (112) and Noman Zeb (69) put on 168 for the first wicket, but Suresh Janaka’s 4-49 prevented Zalmi getting too close.

The result leaves the league table tantalisingly poised, and next Saturday’s fixture between Cyprus Moufflons and the Nicosia Sri Lankan CC may have a crucial bearing on the race for the top two spots and a place in the final.

Four matches were played in the CCA BAO Financial Autumn 2022 T20 Cup on Sunday. The game between Punjab Lions and Royal belonged almost totally to Kulwinder Singh, who hit 107 from 41 balls as the Lions amassed 247-8, with support from Vikram Verna (53) and Tejwinder Singh (48 not out). Amidst the carnage Royal’s Sandeep Singh had the very respectable bowling figures of 3-22 from his 4 overs. Kulwinder then completed the demolition by taking 4-23 as Royal were bundled out for 99.

A closer game in the same group saw Napa Kings, who had earned a great win over Punjab Lions the previous week, beaten by Limassol Zalmi by 27 runs. Zalmi’s 197-7 was again based on innings by Umar Shah (66) and Noman Zeb (45) with help from Faisal Khan (41). Despite Hardeep Singh’s unbeaten 57 from 28 balls, Napa Kings were unable to meet the necessary scoring rate and finished on 170-7.

An intriguing game at Happy Valley saw Amdocs gain a narrow victory over Markhor. Preetaj Deol (35) and Vimal Khanduri (33) led the way for Amdocs as they totalled 146-7. Markhor captain Malik Amir took 3-29 before leading the way with the bat, as he followed his century the previous week with a well paced knock which looked likely to take his team home. But after he fell for 49 the remaining batsmen were not quite able to score quickly enough, and 19 were needed from the final over. A succession of wides kept the batting side interested, but they were only able to muster singles and eventually lost by 9 runs.

Despite a good innings of 53 by opener Pawandeep Paul, Black Caps were bowled out inside 17 overs by Limassol Qalandars, for whom Muhammad Mohsin struggled with his line but picked up 3-32. Defending their modest total of 135, Black Caps held nine catches in the field, although they did give a couple of lives to Qalandars’ skipper Muhammad Farooq, whose big hitting briefly threatened to win the game before he fell for 39. Rajesh Kumar (5-18) and Rajwinder Singh Brar (3-14) benefitted from the good catching as Qalandars were dismissed for 92.

40-over league standings

1 Cyprus Moufflons – played 5, points 116

2 Limassol Zalmi – p 5, pts 103

3 Sri Lanka Lions – p4, pts 94

4 Amdocs – p 5, pts 88

5 Royal – p 4, pts 82

6 Sri Lankans – p 3, pts 68

7 Cyprus Super Kings – p 4, pts 49