An incandescent hundred from Colombo Districts Cricket Association (CDCA) middle-order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan saw his team win a nail-biter and claim a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Tamil Nadu for the FC De Saram trohphy.

Dilshan made 123 off just 95 balls with 15 fours as CDCA overhauled Tamil Nadu's massive 289 at the CPT-IP ground in Chennai with just one wicket and two balls remaining.

In the morning, CDCA captain Thilan Samaraweera won the toss and elected to field. Tamil Nadu opener Rajat Bhatia, J Madanagopal and India discard Robin Singh all made half-centuries as the home team piled on 289 for four in their 50 overs. Robin, who is also the Tamil Nadu skipper, played the most belligerent knock of the Tamil Nadu innings, making an unbeaten 85 off 52 balls with four fours and as many as seven sixes. It might be a good idea for him to come higher up in the order in the remaining matches.

Dilshan's knock, however, meant that Tamil Nadu ended up on the losing side despite the other CDCA batsman struggling. In fact, at one stage, the home team looked to be winning after Vasant Saravanan ran Dilshan out with the score at 254 for nine.

A gritty 38-run last-wicket partnership between WCA Ganegama and KADM Fernando though saw CDCA win the most thrilling of victories.

The next match between the two sides will be played at Guru Nanak grounds on Monday.

© CricInfo