Ali, Danram guide UG to seven-wicket win over MYO

(l-r) Ershaad Ali (5-34) and Omesh Danram (59 not out) guided UG to victory.
(l-r) Ershaad Ali (5-34) and Omesh Danram (59 not out) guided UG to victory.

Ershaad Ali spun a web around Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) before Omesh Danram smashed an unbeaten half century to lead University of Guyana (UG) to a seven-wicket win at MYO on Sunday in the New Building Society/ Georgetown Cricket Association second-division 40-overs competition.

MYO won the toss and batted first but were bowled out for 93 in 30.4 over. UG needed only 15.4 overs to chase down the target, finishing with a six to close 99-3.

MYO got off to a good start with Shafiek Insanally carving a pair of boundaries and a six in his innings of 17 before the first wicket fell at 22.

Khemraj Ramdeen with 22 and Joshua Rampersaud with 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures as Ali, a six-foot left leg break bowler,  snatched the life out of the innings with 5-34 from his eight overs. Ali was supported by Dennis Heywood (2-21) and Suresh Dhanai (2-18) from their eight overs. Ali said the ball was just landing in the right areas and once the wickets started tumble and he got into his groove, the rest was history.

Danram said credit must go to MYO for picking up three quick wickets but the runs was never enough as he backed himself on the small ground to go big and fortunately it went his way.

In reply, UG were rocked with the early departure of their openers, Melroy Stephenson and Lindon Austin while Dwayne Dodson fell without scoring to see UG struggling at 37-3.

However, Danram showed his aggressive nature, clobbering five fours and five sixes in his 30-ball unbeaten 59. Danram was especially brutal to Marlon Boloe who was struck for three consecutive sixes and one boundary in the four balls he sent down to seal the game.

Danram share in a 62-run stand with Mahendra Persaud who stroked four boundaries on his way to 18 not out.