A half century from Permaul Mangali ensured Jai Hind Jaguars a 104-run win over West Demerara Vipers on Sunday in the lone first round encounter of the Banks Beer/Maximum Vodka Big Man Cricket T25 tournament,
Playing at home in the Over-45 category, Jai Hind Jaguars posted 206 for six from their allotted overs.
They then restricted the Vipers to 102 all out in 24.2 overs.
Jaguars were cruising after Imranalli Hussain (22) and Subramani Mangali, who stroked four boundaries in 21, added 43 for the opening partnership but quickly slipped to 57 for four by the 11th over.
Permaul Mangali then scripted a remarkable comeback, hammering 71 with six sixes and six fours on the relatively small secluded Albion venue.
The businessman added 66 for the fifth wicket with Deonarine Rangasammy who laced five sixes in his blistering 33.
He forged a 63-run partnership for the sixth wicket with John Percival struck two sixes and one four on his way to 26 not out.
Davenanad Sedat and Lalta Suknanan bagged two wickets for 36 and 51 runs respectively.
In the chase, the Region Three side lost wickets at regular intervals as Narine Deonarine (2-27) removed both openers, Suknanan and Aleem Harilall for 19 and 14 respectively.
That paved the way for Deo Ramdat to induce the antidote to Vipers’ venom as he took four wickets for 13 runs in 4.5 overs. Hassanalli Hussain complemented Ramdat and Deonarine, taking 2-13.
Maniram Ragnauth (16), Troy Khan (13) and Rampersaud Shivpersaud (11) were the other batsmen to reach double figures but Vipers were unable to string together enough partnerships.
The other three matches in the tournament, which is sponsored by Game Xpress, David Persaud Investments, WJ Enterprise, P & P Insurance Brokers, Panko Steel Fabrication, Readymix Concrete and Cricket Zone USA, were washed out.
However, Real Warriors and West Dem Warriors opted for a friendly encounter at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda. The venue was not in the best condition but the teams made a ‘Big Man’ agreement to play 20 overs per side with smaller boundaries. West Dem Warriors batted first and closed their innings at 180 in 18.5 overs with Anthony Ifill cracking 45 before retiring. In reply, the Real Warriors were kept in check and eventually ended their innings on 99 for 9.
