PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Leg-spinner Imran Khan’s 20th five-wicket haul in first class cricket undermined Leeward Islands Hurricanes and put Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in a good position in their eighth round Regional Four-Day match here yesterday.
Khan snatched five for 25 as Hurricanes, resuming the second day at Queen’s Park Oval on 36 for three, struggled to 163 all out in their first innings.
Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre supported well with two for 26.
Akeem Saunders top-scored with 49 and wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton got 28, while Mervin Mathew hit an unbeaten 22 down the order.
Armed with a lead of 58, Red Force also struggled and were 143 for eight in their second innings at the close – an overall lead of 202 runs heading into day three.
Left-handed opener Amir Jangoo struck 38 while captain Denesh Ramdin got 28 but they were the only ones to show any resistance.
Sheno Berridge claimed three for 34 while off-spinner Chaim Holder (2-19) and seamer Jeremiah Louis (2-41) picked up a brace of wickets apiece.
Red Force had started strongly, however, with Jangoo putting on 52 for the first wicket with Jeremy Solozano who made 10.
Jangoo was positive, striking six fours and a six in a cameo 30-ball knock but once he perished, in the innings went into decline never really recovered.
Earlier, Saunders had rescued the visitors as he narrowly missed out on a well deserved half-century.
He added a promising 45 for the fourth wicket with Devon Thomas (13) and another 29 for the fifth wicket with Hamilton.
Saunders faced 57 deliveries and struck eight fours before he was fifth out as part of a slide which saw the last six wickets fall for 53 runs.
Khan snatched four of these wickets – including that of Saunders – to lead the rout.
