Hosts Parika Salem defeated Supreme Petroleum Sports Club by five runs in the final of the Supreme Petroleum/Big Yard Auto Sale T20 tournament recently.
In a low-scoring encounter, Parika Salem reached 100-9 off their allotment of 20 overs after being inserted while Supreme Petroleum struggled in their reply and were restricted to 95-5 when their 20 overs ended.
When Parika batted, Petroleum’s left-arm spinner Imran Khan 2-6, Safraz Ali 2-9 and Sheldon Alexander 2-17 made scoring difficult but Dhaniram Lallaram (15) and Brian Hubbert (14 not out) were determined to set a challenging total during their time at the crease.
In pursuit of the target, Supreme Petroleum slumped to 25-3 before Khan and Alexander managed to stem the fall of wickets by adding 44 runs during their fourth wicket stand. However, after Alexander (23) and Khan (25) were dismissed, the remainder of the batting struggled to take their team across the finish line. Jason Heyliger captured 3-15 and Trevor Benn 2-23.
Earlier in the second semifinal at the said venue, Parika Salem triumphed over Hyde Park by eight wickets. In a rain-affected game where both sides were allowed 12 overs, Hyde Park batted first and scored 75-6, with Travis Drakes and Mahendra Nandkishore scoring 27 and 17 respectively. Hemchand Persaud snared 3-16 and pacer Edwin Burnette 2-9. Parika Salem responded with 77-2 in 8.3 overs as Kevon Boodie 44 played a mature innings to steer his team to victory. Kemol Savory supported with 19 not out.
In the other semifinal which was played on Saturday at Tuschen, the hosts Tuschen fell to Supreme Petroleum by four wickets.
The home team batted first and were routed for 107 in 19.2 overs. Aftab Khan made 20 and Azar Safie 18. Alexander led Petroleum’s bowling attack with 3-17, receiving support from Michael Goberdhan 2-4 and Javed Shafeek 2-27. Supreme Petroleum replied with 109-6 in 17.4 overs. Keemo Paul slammed 46 as Safie took 2-36.
For his special bowling effort, Heyliger was given the man of the match in the final award; Hemchand Persaud received the best bowler prize, Paul the most outstanding batsman and valuable player accolades while Kemol Savory pocketed $20,000 for scoring the lone century in the tournament. Both finalists collected trophies. Speaking at the presentation ceremony chairman of the East Bank Essequibo Cricket Committee, Alvin Johnson thanked the sponsors and congratulated the winners.
