In a thrilling finale, Unilever Sri Lanka emerged as the unbeaten champions of the Mercantile G Division Cricket Tournament, defeating Amazon Trading – English Tea Shop in an entertaining match played on 3rd August at the MCA Grounds. After a grueling league stage and an intense round of knockouts, Unilever’s cricket team showcased exceptional talent, teamwork, and determination to claim the coveted title for the first time.
Under the captaincy of Anushka Bandara, Unilever Sri Lanka witnessed impressive performances from all corners of the team throughout the tournament journey. In the league round, Unilever defeated Zillione Technologies, Synergen Health, Water’s Edge, HNB Assurance whilst games against Wiley Global and Kelani Cables ended as no resullt. In the knockout stage, the gritty Unilever team delivered defeats to Singer Sri Lanka, Star Garments, and South Asian Technologies.. In the Final, the match-winning partnership between Sachira Wijesinghe (51 runs) and Harishanth Rajendran (75 runs from 29 balls) proved to be a turning point, with both players contributing half-centuries. Dulan Abeynayake led the batting charts with a total of 202 runs, while Dasitha Nirmala excelled in bowling, securing the highest number of wickets (15).
Ali Tariq, Chairman and CEO of Unilever Sri Lanka, expressed his immense pride in the team’s achievement. “This victory is a remarkable milestone for Unilever Sri Lanka. Our cricket team has demonstrated exceptional skill, sportsmanship, and teamwork throughout the tournament. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have paid off, and we are immensely proud of their accomplishment.”
In recognition of their outstanding performance, Harishanth Rajendran was awarded the Best Player of the Match, a well-deserved honor for his invaluable contributions to the team’s success.
This triumph holds special significance for Unilever Sri Lanka as it marks the culmination of a 50+ year journey filled with triumphs and challenges. This victory serves as a testament to the team’s resilience, dedication, and passion for the game.