Guyana Floodlight Under-15s (GFL) fell five runs short chasing 85 for victory in the Zone A final of the US Youth Open on Monday against Central Zonal Council U-15s (CZC).
Winning the toss, GFL inserted CZC at the Central Broward Regional Park, Florida United States in overcast conditions. The Guyanese unit managed to contain CZC to 84 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs.
However, in the chase, they were dismissed for 79 in 19.2 overs.
Rajeev Ramnauth led the batting for CZC with a composed knock of 38 from 36 balls at a crucial time of the game. Ramnauth was forced to play conservative cricket as his team slipped to 3 for 26 after 11 overs but piloted a fight back with Raul Ali who made a run–a-ball 15. CZC also benefited from 10 extras which proved costly in the end.
Mavindra Dindyal bagged 2 for 15 while Jonathan Van Lange and Dave Mohabir picked up one wicket each.
In the chase, Nicholas Shiopersad was promoted to open with Dindyal but that partnership did not prove as fruitful as was their regular opening combination. Shiopersad fell for three from 13 balls.
But the turning point of the match came when Adam Furlonge trapped Dindyal leg before wicket for 13. Dindyal ended as the second leading run getter and one of only two batsmen with over 200 runs in the tournament.
Alvin Mohabir, who ended the competition as the leading wicket taker also chipped in with 10 while Van Lange made a spirited 22 from 23 balls but Ramnauth returned with ball in hand to strangle the batting order and end with 3 for seven with the last two wickets coming in succession. GFL lost their final four wickets for just two runs.
Earlier, GFL entered the final with an eight-wicket win over Presentation College. It was revenge for the Guyanese who had lost in the group stages to this very side.
GFL won the toss and inserted Presentation College who were limited to 74 for 6 with Dindyal returning 3 for five. Joash Charles took 2 for 15 while Nityanand Mathura picked up 1 for 21.
Nickyle Jalim top scored with 30 with Amar Chan (10) being the only other batsman with a double figure score.
In reply, Dindyal and his regular opening partner, Romeo Deonarain forged a solid platform, putting on 60 for the first wicket. Deonarain made 28 from 38 balls and hit two boundaries along the way while Dindyal made an unbeaten 38 from 36 balls, decorated with four fours and one six.
