The SLC Invitational T20 League, underway in Colombo from August 7 to 16, has started with competitive flair and high-quality performances. Serving as a key preparation platform for Sri Lanka’s national and fringe players ahead of the Asia Cup, the tournament features three teams — SLC Blues, SLC Greens, and SLC Greys — battling it out in a double round-robin format, followed by a final.
In the opening match, the SLC Greens stamped their authority with a confident win over SLC Blues. The Blues, batting first, were restricted to 143 in 19.4 overs. Despite solid efforts from top-order batters like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, the team failed to convert starts into big scores. The Greens, chasing 144, reached the target in just 16.5 overs with six wickets in hand. Chamika Karunaratne delivered an all-round masterclass, scoring 47 off 31 balls and picking up three wickets for just 17 runs. His composed finishing and tight bowling earned him Player of the Match.
The second match saw SLC Greys overpowering the Blues, who suffered their second consecutive defeat. The Greys posted a commanding total of 192 for 4, with powerful middle-order hitting and clever strike rotation. The Blues attempted a counterattack during the chase, but their innings faltered under scoreboard pressure, finishing at 168 for 8. With this win, the Greys joined the Greens on the points table with one victory each, leaving the Blues winless and already under pressure.
Both the Greens and the Greys have shown strong depth in their squads. The Greens boast a balanced unit with experience and emerging talent, while the Greys have demonstrated explosive power with the bat and intelligent variations with the ball. The Blues, however, need to reassess their approach quickly, especially their death-overs execution and middle-order stability.
The league will continue with upcoming clashes between the top teams, including the highly anticipated Greys vs Greens fixture. The final two matches of the group stage, along with the August 15 final, will be crucial in determining not just the winner but also which players make a case for national selection.
This league offers more than just local bragging rights — it’s effectively a proving ground for players looking to secure or reclaim spots in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs squads. With selectors closely watching performances, the SLC Invitational T20 League has taken on the added significance of being a direct audition for the Asia Cup.
As the tournament progresses, eyes will remain on standout performers like Karunaratne and the steady batters from the Greys lineup. Meanwhile, the Blues must regroup and find their rhythm quickly if they are to stay relevant in the competition.