Former national youth cricketer, Raj Nanan, was adjudged man of the series Monday as his team, Florida Sharks enjoyed championship glory in the United States Premier League Phase 1.
Nanan, who plays for Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on the local circuit, ended as the third highest run-getter with 152 runs from five innings including a best of 54. With the ball, the left-arm spinner also finished third with eight wickets.
In the final of the competition, Sharks defeated Texas Cowboys by six wickets at West Lawn, New York. Sharks won the toss and inserted Cowboys who were routed for 94 in 16.2 overs. Sharks then reached their target of 95 with five overs to spare, losing four wickets along the way.
Nanan removed both openers to end with 2-25. He was supported by his DCC teammate, Christopher Barnwell with 2-30, Javon Searles with 3-4 and Ijaz Safi with 2-31.
Rizwan Mazhar top scored for Cowboys with 20 while extras had the next best tally of 18.
In Sharks’ innings, Gauranshu Sharma and Jay Pathak each ended on 20 not out to see their side over the line while Nanan chipped in with 15.
In the semi-final earlier in the day, Sharks bowled out Maryland Mavericks for 81 in 17.2 overs before reaching 82 for two in 16.2 overs to secure an eight-wicket win.
Nanan top scored for Sharks with a ball-a-run 28, laced with six boundaries and was supported by Arsh Arora (23) and Sharma (19).
Searles again copped three wickets while Nanan, Barnwell and Safi picked up two wickets apiece. Raymond Ramrattan was the most fruitful batsman with 27 from 28 balls.
On Sunday, Sharks managed a one-wicket win over NY Gothams who posted 150 for six but could not keep Sharks contained as they reached 152 for nine with 14 balls to spare.
Nanan was the principal bowler for Sharks with 2-20, a double strike in the 13th over to break a 93-run opening stand and remove both openers. His wickets included Jason Greaves who top scored with 53 from 38 balls and Mukil Ayyasamy who made 38.
Sumit Sehrawat piloted the chase batting at number 10 with 44 not out from just 13 balls. His innings featured five sixes and three boundaries. Sharma chipped in with a 23-ball 36 while Barnwell supported with 33 from 19 balls.
On Saturday, Nanan’s 54 from 40 balls along with Sharma’s 59 inspired Sharks to 196 for eight but could not restrict Carolina Eagles, who reached 197 for four with two balls to spare and earn a six-wicket win.
Meanwhile, Sharks defeated NY Titans by nine wickets as Nanan made 46 not out from 38 balls and shared in an unbroken 87-run partnership with Sharma who made 44 not out from 24 balls. The pair saw their side reach 107 for one in 12.2 overs, responding to Titans’ 106 all out in 14.4 overs where Nanan bagged 2-13.
