The 49th Annual Limited Overs Encounter played for the Mustangs Trophy was held on the 28th of March 2026 at the SSC Grounds. This year, both teams faced each other to win the trophy after an anticlimactic draw for the 147th Battle of the Blues. The Thomian side consisted of Avinash Fernando (Captain), Aaron De Silva (Vice Captain), Jaden Amaraweera (Secretary), Abheeth Paranawidana, Reshon Solomons, Methuka Gunaratne, Stevon Peiris (Wicket Keeper), Raphael Hettige, Ludeesha Matarage, Shanil Perera, Gimhan Mendis and Minon Warnasuriya. The Coin Toss went in favour of the Thomians and the captain elected to bat first. The Thomians started off with a strong partnership from Jaden Amaraweera and Methuka Gunaratne scoring 95 runs with a quick succession of multiple
boundaries and a half century scored by Jaden Amaraweera. After the Royalist, Ramiru Perera bowled out Methuka Gunaratne, Avinash Fernando scored a few boundaries before being run out leading to a top-order collapse. After a succession of 6s from the Opening Batsman, Jaden Amaraweera, he was able to secure 150 runs. In the final over, bowled by Hirun Liyanarachchi, the Thomian opener scored a line of 6s without struggle. The Thomians Innings ended with 313 runs
with a outstanding performance from Jaden Amaraweera with 184 runs off 148 balls. In the Royalists Innings Hirun Liyanarachchi came off with a strong start after scoring 51 runs in no time but was bowled out by Shanil Perera in his 2nd delivery. After a shocking 6 by Ramiru Perera, Raphael Hettige quickly ended off his knock with 38 runs. Even after a middle-order collapse, Vimath Dinsara, the Sri Lanka U-19 Captain, kept his cool and scored a century. The most notable performance from the Royalist side had to have been the masterclass of 109 runs off 124 balls by Vimath Dinsara. The best Thomian figures were 2-60 by Shanil Perera. The Innings ended off with 291 runs. The Royalists won by 16 runs due to the DLS method. Jaden Amaraweera of course won The Best Batsman award after
his 184* runs off 148 balls which was the highest individual score in the history of the Mustangs encounter.
