Latest update January 3rd, 2025 2:01 AM
Dave’s West Indian Imports Inter-County 50-over cricket
Sankar, Kadir spurs President’s XI to 8-Wkt win over E’bo
B’ce defeat Demerara at Lusignan
By Sean Devers
On a day blessed with glorious sunshine at Everest, the President’s XI beat Essequibo by eight wickets, while Berbice defeated defending Champions Demerara at Lusignan yesterday in the penultimate round of the Dave West Indian Imports Inter-County 50-over U-15 cricket tournament.
Skipper Stephon Sankar took 4-26 and 25 not out yesterday for the Presidents XI at Everest yesterday.
Spearheaded by a fine all-round performance from Skipper and Man-of-the-match Stephon Sankar who followed his 4-26 with a responsible unbeaten 25 from 84 balls and 90 minutes and a shot-fill 40 from Ariafrizal Kadir, President’s XI won their first game after being beaten by Berbice at Bourda on Sunday.
Essequibo elected to bat on a good track and fast outfield and led by 46 from Adesh Dass, 32 from Shazif Mohamed and 16 from Ragindra Ramblin, reached 147 all out off 37 overs as off-spinner Sankar captured 4-25 and Afraz Ali Budhoo had 3-26.
President’s X1 replied with 148-2 in 40.5 overs as Kadir who hit five fours from 52 balls in his 40 and Tularam Chitamani (16) added 80 for the first wicket.
Sankar and Tulsiram Ramcharran, who faced 75 balls, then featured in an unfinished 66-run third wicket stand in 85 minutes to see President’s XI to a comfortable win as Dass took 2-24 to follow up his 46 in a losing cause.
Ariafrizal Kadir is caught by Bruce Vincent at slip after making a shot-filled 40 for the President’s XI yesterday at Everest.
Kadir, a 13-year-old left-hander not much taller than the stumps, followed up his 18 on Sunday with some enterprising shots, none better than an imperious back foot cut to point boundary.
His straight drives were also a joy to watch while his tenacity for someone so little in age and stature were hallmarks of his batting, especially against the fast bowlers.
Kadir dominated the opening partnership which was aided by sloppy fielding before Chitamani was removed by Dass at 80-1, while he had Kadir caught at slip by Bruce Vincent playing an expansive drive two runs later.
But the level headed Sankar was joined by Ramcharran under dark clouds and together they took their team to victory without hitting a single boundary.
Earlier, Essequibo lost Benny Persaud (13) as Antonio Ramphal struck at 25-1 before another useful stand between Ramblin and Mohamed carried the score to 57 before Sankar trapped Ramblin LBW.
Gladwin Henry fell to Sankar who also accounted for Keshav Deonarine before Budhoo got rid Vincent as three batsmen fell before they had scored in the space of a run as Essequibo collapsed from 57-1 to 61-5.
When Sankar removed Mohammed, who reached the boundary thrice in his resolute 32 the score was 109-6.
Dass found a useful partner in Akeem John and smashed Ramcharran for a straight six and a four past extra-cover off consecutive deliveries before John off drove Sankar for a boundary before he was bowled by Budhoo for nine at 118-7.
Ramesh Seeram (10) struck around a bit before he was bowled by Budhoo.
Dass hit Budhoo onto the Lawn Tennis Court before whipping John Persaud like a bullet to the backward square boundary but the pacer had the last laugh when the pugnacious Dass skied him to mid-off to end the innings.
The last round is set for tomorrow with President’s XI facing Demerara at Bourda and unbeaten Berbice battling Essequibo at Lusignan. The top two teams will clash in Saturday’s final at Bourda.
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