The Grand Park Arena hosted its maiden cricket tournament at the Piliyandala Central College ground where a team called the GPA Gladiators beat another side called the GPA Warriors in the final on February 6.
Shanil Perera of the GPA Warriors was adjudged player of the tournament while the title for best fielder was awarded to Thivisha Perera with Chelan Weerasinghe as the best bowler and Kevin Gunaseela as the best batsman. The award for the ‘Best Upcoming Young Cricketer’ was awarded to Inura Aken of GPA Vikings.
The GPA Cricket Academy was launched on March 6, 2021 and attracted over 90 students in a 11 month span.
According to an official, the Grand Park Arena is a state of the art, modern indoor and outdoor sports complex located in the heart of the Piliyandala town and the facility opened its doors on January 20, 2021 and has since been patronized by division one clubs, schools and other academies.
Results:
Warriors win by 41 runs
Warriors 220/5 in 30 overs (Kevin Gunaseela 31 n.o., Shanil Perera 31 n.o., Chelan Weerasinghe 22 n.o., Gavin Sanuka 2/37)
Vikings 179 in 26.4 overs (Kaveesha Nethsara 29, Shanil Perera 3/29)
Player of the Match – Shanil Perera
Gladiators win by two wickets
Kings 205/7 in 30 overs (Nethun Vithanage 30 n.o., Aken Ubayasiri 24 n.o., Vinuka Perera 3/17)
Gladiators 208/8 in 29 overs (Yehen Anawaratnam 30 n.o., Kushen Perera 30 n.o., Nadula 2/18, Nethun Vithanage 2/19)
Player of the Match – Kushen Perera
Gladiators win by 13 runs
Gladiators 209/7 in 30 overs (Yehen Anawaratnam 32 n.o., Kushen Perera23 n.o., Senan Gunawardena 24, Gavin Sanuka 2/15, Hansaka Perera 2/25)
Vikings 196 in 29 overs (Thaveesha Nethsara 30 n.o., Hansaka Perera 33 n.o., Duleen Hiruka 32 n.o., Shawn Fernando 2/3)
Player of the Match – Duleen Hiruka
Warriors won by eight wickets
Kings 152 in 22 overs (Nethran 42 n.o., Aken Ubayasiri 24, Chelan Weerasinghe 3/19, Shanil Perera 2/20)
Warriors 153/2 in 19 overs (Kevin Gunaseela 31 n.o., Shanil Perera 32 n.o., Chelan Weerasinghe 32 n.o)
Player of the Match – Chelan Weerasinghe
Vikings win by 100 runs
Vikings 252/2 in 30 overs (Hansaka Perera 135 n.o., Chamesh Gunawardena 20 n.o)
Kings 152 in 26overs (Rojver Cooray 31, Gavin Sanuka 2/1, Hansaka Perera 2/23, Roven Chalin 2/20)
Player of the Match – Hansaka Perera
FINAL:
Gladiators win by wickets
Warriors 210/3 in 28 overs (Kevin Gunaseela 66, Shanil Perera 60)
Gladiators 211/4 in 27.4overs (Yehen Anawaratnam 66, Kushen Perera 29)
Player of the Match – Yehen Anawaratnam