Muttiah Muralitharan addresses the tournament finalists of the Murali Harmony Cup in Oddusuddan.
Muttiah Muralidaran greets the Shakthi Anuradhapura Ladies, runners-up of the Murali Harmony Cup at the IODR Oval in Oddusuddan.
Sri Lanka Army Ladies win inaugural Murali Harmony Cup
Sri Lanka Army clinched the inaugural Murali Harmony Cup with a tense 16 run victory over Shakthi Ladies from Anuradhapura at the IODR Oval in Oddusuddan on Wednesday. Watched by a large crowd, including excited children from all the surrounding local areas and Sri Lanka spin legend Muttiah Muralidaran, Army took early control of the match with a solid batting display.
Player of the Match Roshani Perera led the way with a solid 53 and was supported by Nimali Perera who scored 32. The pair ensured Sri Lanka Army posted a competitive 127 for 4 in their 20 overs. However, Shakthi Ladies, who had earlier beaten the Army in the group stages, fought bravely right until the end before falling agonizingly short, reaching 111 for 9. Nimali Perera was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 18 while Anurada Alahapperuma (23) and Hansima Karunaratne (22) were Shakthi’s highest run scorers.
The Murali Harmony Cup is a 20-team reconciliation tournament staged to promote community-building and friendship in post-war Sri Lanka. The five-day tournament has been jointly organised by Muttiah Muralidaran’s charity the Foundation of Goodness, travel company Red Dot Tours, the International Cricket Council and the Sri Lanka Army.
Shakthi Ladies v Sri Lanka Army
Sri Lanka Army 127 for 4 in 20 overs (Roshani Perera 53, Nimali Perera 32, Hansima Karunaratne 2 for 33) v Shakthi Ladies 111 for 9 in 20 overs (Anurada Alahapperuma 23, Hansima Karunaratne 22, Nimali Perera 2 for 18). Sri Lanka Army won by 16 runs
MOM: Roshani Perera