(Trinidad Guardian) An inspired spell of slow bowling from Prem Singh who took a hat trick saw the West Indies to victory over India as they copped the inaugural Legends World Cup T20 title in Fort Lauderdale, USA Thursday.
SCORES: West Indies 137/6 (20) vs India 84 all out (18) – West Indies won by 53 runs.
Chasing 138 to win on a slow track at the Central Broward Regional Park was always going to be a difficult task and Singh spun webs around the unsuspecting Indian batsmen taking five wickets including a hat-trick to end with figures of 5/12, as the Indians were routed for 84.
The spinner ripped out the middle order as India who was depending on skipper Ketan Patel and Fazal Alam folded.
Patel, who was very consistent in the tournament, scored 35 runs off 41 balls with one six and two fours while Alam made 16.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Guyanese Bhim George bowled brilliantly taking 2/12 off his four overs. The two spinners bowled a combined eight overs, conceding just 24 runs and taking seven wickets between them.
Earlier, West Indies got off to another great start by openers Peter Singh and Joseph Buffong.
Buffong, the attractive right-hander, scored 36 off 23 balls as he helped Singh post 42 runs in 4.4 overs for the first wicket. Buffong stroked six elegant fours while
George stroked a composed 29 and skipper Zamin Amin a quickfire 22 not out to give the West Indies a fighting score.
The Indians, missing frontline batsman and regular skipper Ritesh Patel, found the going tough against a well-oiled West Indies side, coached by Joe Siewsawak. Bowling for India Raju Jasani took 2/24.
The West Indies team played unbeaten over four matches to claim the title and had a lot to thank former West Indies Test player Mahendra Nagamootoo for as he copped two Man-of-the-Match awards.
SCORES: West Indies Legends 137/6 (20) (Joseph Buffong 36, Bhim George 29, Zamin Amin 22 n.o, Raju Jasani 2/24) vs India Legends 84 all out (18) (Ketan Patel 35, Fazal Alam 16, Prem Singh 5/12, Bhim George 2/12) – West Indies Legends won by 53 runs. Player of the match – Prem Singh.
