Ruvin Peiris rolls back the years with masterful century

Sri Lanka Masters have booked their place in the grand finale of the Over-50 Masters World Cup, setting up a high-stakes clash with Pakistan Masters at the P. Sara Oval on today. The hosts brushed aside Australia in the semi-final, while Pakistan pulled off a thrilling win against a much-fancied England side.

Colombo has been the epicenter of this 14-nation tournament, with former SSC stalwart Shane Fernando leading the Sri Lankan charge. And at the heart of their semi-final triumph was a vintage knock from Ruvin Peiris, a player who once terrorized schoolboy attacks but never got his due at the highest level.

Walking in at number three, Peiris wasted no time in stamping his authority. The left-hander played with the fluency of a man who never lost his touch, crafting a masterful century at better than a run-a-ball to power Sri Lanka to a formidable 298 in 44.4 overs. His 107 off 101 balls was laced with 12 boundaries and a towering six, a knock straight out of the textbook.

A generation of cricketers born in the 1970s had to watch from the sidelines as Sri Lanka’s golden generation ruled the roost in the 1990s and 2000s. Peiris, a run-machine at Piliyandala Central, was one such talent who missed the national bus. But on this stage, he reminded everyone of his pedigree.

His 129-run partnership for the third wicket with Rory Ingram was the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s innings, keeping the Aussies on the back foot. And just when the hosts needed a late surge, Upul Chandana played a blinder. The former Sri Lanka all-rounder rolled back the years, smashing 40 off just 19 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and two sixes to give Sri Lanka the final flourish.

Australia, chasing 299, never got out of the blocks. They were skittled out for 174 inside 37 overs, as Sri Lanka’s bowlers turned the screws from the get-go.

Saman Jayantha, once known for his explosive batting, turned wrecker-in-chief with the ball. His off-spin proved too much for the Aussies to handle, as he scalped four wickets to break the back of their chase.

The second semi-final was a heart-stopper. Pakistan and England went toe-to-toe in a game that had more twists than a mystery novel.

Defending 232, Pakistan looked down and out when England needed just 17 runs with three wickets in hand. But cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, and Pakistan produced a stunning late fightback to snatch a dramatic nine-run victory, booking their place in the final.