NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Kandukara Cricket Club of Sri Lanka thrashed the Cricket Council of India (CCI) team by 55 runs in the opening T20 match of their 5-match series, which got under way at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, on Wednesday.

Winning the toss, the Indian side elected to field fist under overcast conditions.   Steered by openers Malintha 33 (23 balls, 5 fours and a six) and Nishan 39 (17 balls, 3 fours and 3 sixes) the visitors rattled up an impressive 145 for the loss of 8 wickets in their truncated 15 overs. Medium pacer Abhinav impressed with a five-wicket haul giving away 30 runs in his compliment of 4 overs.

Nishan then shone with the ball as well, scalping 2 CCI wickets as apart from Sparsh Kapoor 33 (21 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) none of the other batsmen could stand up to the Lankan club’s bowling attack. CCI could manage just 90 runs in their 15 overs. Medium pacer Sudesh was the highest wicket taker accounting for 3 CCI batsmen.

Earlier, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Honourable Governor of Punjab and Haryana, and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, inaugurated the series by unveiling the Krishi Guru trophy. He also shook hands with each member of both teams and posed for pictures with them.

According to R S Dandiwal, general secretary of CCI, which is affiliated to the Dubai-based Asian Cricket Federation, this is the very first time that an overseas club is being hosted by the Cricket Council of India in the country, though CCI teams have been on overseas tours on two previous occasions – to Sri Lanka and Thailand. Since its inception in 2009, CCI, which has affiliates all across the country, has also organised 15 national level events in various age groups.

Besides five T20 matches the Sri Lankan club will also play 2 one-day matches during the current series, at Sector 16 Cricket Stadium and Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 40 grounds.

T-20 Series Schedule :

Venue : Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, Chandigarh

15-06-2016 :  2.30pm : 1^st T-20 Match

16-06-2016 :  9.00am : 2^nd T-20 Match

                     :  2.30pm : 3^rd T-20 Match

17-06-2016 :  9.00am : 4^th T-20 Match

                     :  2.30pm : 5^th T-20 Match

                     :  5.30pm : Closing cum Prize Distribution Ceremony

One Day Series Schedule :

Venue : Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 40

19-06-2016  : 9.00 am  : 1^st One Day Match

                      : 4.00 pm : Post Match Presentation Ceremony

20-06-2016  : 9.00 am : 2^nd One Day Match

                      : 4.00 pm : Closing Cum Prize Distribution Ceremony