FCT Shield 2025 – The Grand Final: CT vs ET
The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived — the grand final of FCT Shield 2025. Two evenly matched sides, Loch Arachchige’s CT and Sahan Sudeesha’s ET, prepared to battle for glory as an electrifying crowd gathered across the University of Kelaniya grounds and even along the roadside. Dark clouds, distant thunder, and fading light added to the tension, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable encounter.
ET won the toss and elected to bat first, sending Hiran Ruchiranga and Udeesha Raveeshan to open. Hasitha Kumarathunga began the final with authority, conceding four runs off the very first ball, signalling the intensity to follow. The powerplay overs, shared between Hasitha, Yasindu Kalhara, and Ashem, produced no wickets, with ET cruising to 27 without loss.
As the innings progressed, ET’s momentum became unstoppable. By the seventh over, they had reached 58 without loss. Then came a brutal shift — the seventh over bowled by Sanka Yasodana went for 27 runs, as ET’s openers launched a relentless assault. Missed chances and fielding lapses further accelerated their charge. In the ninth over, Hiran Ruchiranga created history by scoring the first half-century in FCT Shield history, shortly followed by Udeesha Raveeshan reaching his own fifty. ET surged to 109 for 1 after nine overs, leaving CT visibly shaken.
The final over of ET’s innings, bowled by CT captain Loch Arachchige, brought moments of brilliance. Yasith Danthasingha ran out Upekha Serasinghe for two, and Loch dismissed Udeesha on the final delivery — but ET had already set a steep target. Darkness fell over the ground, and under the floodlights, the chase began.
CT opened with Ishanka Lakshan and Chamod Sapumal, but disaster struck instantly as Ishanka was stumped off a wide delivery on the first ball. Sanka Yasodana walked in at a defining moment and, alongside Chamod Sapumal, brought hope with flowing boundaries and towering sixes. After Chamod fell LBW to captain Sahan Sudeesha and Ashen Ellawala was dismissed soon after by Roshan Tharindu, CT needed 44 runs from 24 balls, with the tension reaching fever pitch.
Loch Arachchige returned to the crease, calm and composed. What followed was a masterclass in partnership batting. Sanka unleashed raw power, attacking every bowler, while Loch played with precision, timing, and clever strike rotation. Their partnership turned a collapsing chase into a commanding pursuit. In the eighth over, Sanka reached his fifty in just 22 balls, the fastest in FCT Shield history. The defining moment arrived on the first ball of the final over — Sanka launched a massive six over midwicket, sealing the victory.
The crowd erupted as CT were crowned champions. ET finished as runners-up, CS claimed third place, Sanka Yasodana was named Best Player and Best Batter of the tournament, and Damindu Prasadith earned Best Bowler honours. The final perfectly captured the spirit, drama, and brilliance of FCT Shield, leaving fans with memories that will last a lifetime.
Scoreboard: https://fctshield.lk/event/final-ct-v-et/
