In what was dubbed ‘old versus new’ at the Blairmont Community Center Cricket Club (BCCC), the President’s XI defeated Emerging Starters by two runs on Sunday to cap off 2019.
Played in the presence of a large crowd and with live commentary, the President’s XI posted 129 all out in 29.5 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat in the 30-over contest.
They then contained the Emerging Stars to 127 all out in the final over.
The President’s XI batting centered around guest player, Suresh Dhanai who stroked six fours and four sixes in his top score of 75. Little contributions came from the other batsmen with 13-year-old Raashad Gaffur being the next highest scorer with 18, the pair adding 57 for the third wicket.
Left-arm spinner, Nigel Deodat proved to be lethal after taking four for 15. He was supported by Shabeer Baksh (2-19), Marvan Prashad (2-21) and Seon Glasgow (1-18).
In reply, Emerging Starters were rocked early as Dhanai (3-17) removed both openers in the second over while Waqar Hassan and Zameer Nazir shook the middle order with 4 for 19 and 2 for 13 respectively.
Shreedat Rupnarine and Anthony Sukwah (09) brought the Emerging Starters back into the game with a 35-run stand for the eighth wicket.
The game boiled down to 13 runs required from the last two overs.
Chris Harry bowled the penultimate over for just three runs.
Rupnarine was left stranded on 20 after his last pair partner, Veer Farhad was run out off the final ball.
Baksh explained that the Emerging Starters is a group of under-19 players which was formed just a month ago in order to give the young players of the club a chance to start playing consistently as a group.
