Queens Sharks defeated Berbice Lions by five wickets on Sunday to lift the Guyana Cup 2023 at Baisley Pond.
Lions won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 136 all out in 17.5 overs while Sharks chased down the target with two overs to spare and five wickets in hand.
Lions’ innings was centered around Jonathan Foo who smashed five sixes and seven fours on his way to 78 from 45 balls.
Dominique Rikki made a seven-ball 13 but the only other batsman was Hemendra Ramdihal managed to reach double figures with 10.
Dino Choo-Wee-Nam was the pick of the bowlers, returning 5-21 while Telston Johnson bagged 2-28. Ronaldo Alimohamed and Bhaskar Yadram picked up one wicket each.
Sharks were reduced to 12-2 at the end of the second over but Raymond Ramrattan piloted them out of the tough position with an unbeaten 56 from 44 balls. Ramrattan stroked five boundaries including a six.
Sharks were also indebted to Yadram who made 22 from 15 balls and Gajanand Singh with 17 from 18 balls. Steve Roopnarine and Alimohamed made 13 each.
Foo returned to pick up 2-33 while Deveshwari Prashad, Ramdihal and Gaurav Ramesh took one wicket a piece.
Earlier in the day, Sharks advanced to the final after beating USA-Guyana Majestics by two wickets. Majestics posted 158 for nine in their alotted 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first while Sharks reached 159 for eight with a ball to spare.
Francis Mendonca top scored for Majestics with 43 while Jamal Hickson and Wasim Haslim chipped in with 25 and 24 respectively. Johnson and Yadram picked up two wickets each for Sharks.
Singh steered Sharks into the final with a 33-ball 46 having struck three fours and three sixes while adding 85 for the second wicket with Randall Wilson (38). Alimohamed made a vital 23 to ensure victory. Haslim and Karamchand Ramnarine picked up three wickets each.
