Imran Khan leads Chesney to championship title in 1-day tournament

BCB President Trophy…

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster on Sunday fulfilled another promise to a cricket club in Berbice.
The BCB boss had committed himself to organising another one-day three-team tournament at the Chesney Ground after the home team had successfully organised the D Somwaru Tribute Cup, earlier in the year. The one-day 20/20 tournament attracted a fair crowd, and was contested by Chesney, Goed Bananen Land and No 19 Kendall’s Union Cricket teams.

The last two teams mentioned played in the lone semi-final with the winner playing Chesney in the final. Goed Bananen Land batted first in the semi-final and amassed 165 for 5 in 20 overs as Keshan Ganagram top-scored with 57. Sasenarine Sukhu (22) and O Emanuel (19) offered support to Gangaram. Bowling for No 19 Kendall’s Union, A Ramnarine took 2 for 16. No 19 Kendall’s Union, in reply, were restricted to 143 for 8 with O Garnett (35); S Yadram (23) and T Mangra (30) being their best batters. Bowling for Goed Bananen Land, S Bhai and Andre Sobhai each took two wickets apiece for 29 and 27 respectively.
In the final, played in the presence of BCB President Foster, Goed Bananen Land amassed a good score of 155 all out in 19.5 overs. Hemraj Dyal top-scored with 48 while Sasenarine Sukhdeo made 25 and Ramnarine Jugister 18. Off-spinner Narine Deonarine claimed 2 for 20 while David Harilall had 2 for 30, bowling for Chesney.

Imran Khan, who played for Guyana at the 20/20 level, then rolled back the years with a brilliant innings of 72 as he added 122 for the first wicket with Said Latchana in just 11 overs. Khan struck six gigantic sixes and six sweetly-timed boundaries before he was bowled by O Basant. Latchana made 49 with nine boundaries while Yogindra Gurdyal and Zaheer Khan were unbeaten on 25 and 4 respectively as Chesney reached 160 for 2 in 16 overs. O Basant and R Gangaram took a wicket apiece for the Goed Bananen Land team.
The BCB President handed over the winning trophy and cash prize to Chesney Captain Ricky Amoi. Foster stated that he strongly believed in fulfilling any commitment he made, as a man’s word is his bond. The main aim of the one-day tournament is to revive interest in the area for the game of cricket.
The small village of Chesney has produced players like Sudesh Dhaniram, Sunil Dhaniram, Naresh Manhobe and current West Indies female player Shabika Gajnabi. The Chesney Club in 2019 benefited from another BCB-organised one-day tournament – the Somwaru Tribute Cup and also received assistance with balls, scorebooks, bicycle, water pitcher and educational materials.