Imam Bacchus CC defeats NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team to win T20 showdown

NAMILCO 50th Anniversary Sports – Essequibo…

A well poised half-century off the bat of opener Parmesh Parsatam, and an equally responsible 37 from opening partner Navindra Persaud, guided Imam Bacchus Cricket Club to a comfortable eight- wicket win over the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team when the NAMILCO 50th Anniversary Sports programme, Essequibo leg, came off on Sunday last at the Imam Bacchus Ground at Columbia in the Cinderella County of Essequibo.

A colourful crowd, including well over 50 NAMILCO staff members, host Sam Baksh of the famous Imam Bacchus & Sons, host of the day’s proceedings; along with NAMILCO’s Fitzroy McLeod (Finance Director) and Atomaram Lakeram (Personal Assistant to Managing Director Bert Sukhai) all soaked up an absorbing day of action in very sunny conditions.
The programme, which had been put off by a few weeks owing to the prolonged rainy season, was well received by the participants and dozens of spectators who were on hand.
After winning the toss and deciding to take first strike, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team started well, but were kept in check by some steady bowling from the home team. Opener Travis Persaud looked the part in his innings of 38 off 26 balls, decorated with eight (8) fours. He timed the ball well, and set the foundation for the team’s eventual total of 117-5.
But once Persaud succumbed to the Imam Bacchus bowling attack, his teammates were not able to get the better of the pace and spin attack, even though they got starts. Sudesh Persaud was left unbeaten on 18 when the overs ran out.
Support came from Abdool Razzak (17), and Daniel Basdeo who was left not out on 12. N. Cadogan and K. Persaud were the pick of the Imam Bacchus bowlers, with each taking two wickets for 12 and 13 runs respectively.
Needing to score 118 to win off their 20 overs, Imam Bacchus Cricket Club were very businesslike in their approach. They were led by openers Parmesh Parsatam and Navindra Persaud, the duo blasting the ball to all parts of the ground as neither of the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team bowlers escaped the willow.
Parsatam hit the boundary ropes on eight occasions in his match-winning 51 before he fell. And even though his opening partner Navindra Persaud went back for 37, the foundation for victory and the winning prize of $50,000 was already laid.
Formalising the win were Yogeshwar Lall and Latchman Rohit, who were left unbeaten on 16 and 13 respectively when the win was achieved. For their efforts, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Team collected $10,000. Both teams were also presented with trophies.
During brief opening and closing ceremonies, host Sam Baksh expressed delight at being able to host the programme for the NAMILCO 50th Anniversary celebrations. He said Imam Bacchus & Sons were more than elated to welcome executives and staff of the National Milling Company of Guyana.
McLeod, in his remarks, said that Imam Bacchus & Sons have been faithful partners of NAMILCO from the time they started business in Guyana, and the company thought it fitting to host such a programme there.
On behalf of NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai, who was unavoidably absent, sincere gratitude was extended to Baksh, Imam Bacchus & Sons, players, staff members and fans by Sukhai’s Personal Assistant, Lakeram.
He said NAMILCO was more than happy to give back to the community as this milestone is celebrated. A similar programme was held in the Ancient County of Berbice in May of this year.
NAMILCO is also the title sponsor of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) national Intra Association Under-17 League, which involves all nine (9) Regional Member Associations. The two entities inked a five-year agreement in this regard back in 2016.
NAMILCO is the first company in Guyana to sign a multi-year partnership deal with the GFF.