A half century from national all-rounder, Akshaya Persaud spurred West Coast Warriors to the Deo and Sons T20 title Sunday.
West Coast Warriors registered a five-wicket win over New York Centurions in Flushing. Centurions won the toss and batted, posting 132 for nine from their allotted overs. Warriors, in reply, reached 135 for five with 17 balls to spare.
Persaud piloted the chase with a Man-of-the-Match 83 from 53 balls, his innings decorated with five sixes and seven fours.
After the match, Persaud told Stabroek Sport in an invited comment that he felt pleased to bring home the title for his team.
“I felt good batting in the middle today, I’m happy to see my team to the title especially since we played unbeaten throughout the tournament,” he said.
The 24-year-old ended the tournament as the leading run getter with 200 runs.
He also stroked the most boundaries with 12 fours and nine sixes.
The left-hander, who was promoted to the top of the batting order, was supported by his opening partner, former Essequibo youth captain, Ameer Singh who made 21 from 12 balls, laced with three boundaries.
Warriors, however, lost four quick wickets before Persaud ensured the match was out of Centurions’ grasp.
Earlier, Demerara youth legspinner, Ushardeva Balgobin and Sewsaran Sookdeo picked up two wickets each to peg the scoring of Centurions.
Sookdeo ended the competition as the leading wicket taker with 11 wickets while Balgobin was close behind with eight.
Marlon Mangroo was run out off the first ball of the innings but cameos from Mahendra Persaud (27), Mark Gomes (18) and Deoraj Sewanan (16) led the fight back.
In the semi-finals, West Coast Warriors also defeated Phoenix Cricket Club by five wickets.
Phoenix won the toss and batted but were bundled out for 63 in 17.4 overs while Warriors reached 67 for five in 12 overs.
Tejpaul Bishundat played the lone hand with 26 from 42 balls. No other batsman reached double figures but extras accounted for 14 towards the score.
Sookdeo and Shaffeek Deonarine each picked up three wickets while Persaud returned 2-7. Chandrapaul Persaud (24) and Deonarine (18 not out) were the principal scorers for the chase.
