Narine’s scintillating 61 leads Tigers over Windies B

Global T20 Canada…

Sunil Narine, famously known for his mystery spin, struck a scintillating 25-ball 61 to spur Montreal Tigers over West Indies B in the first match of the second round in the 2018 inaugural Global T20 Canada on Tuesday at Maple Leaf Ground, King City, Toronto.

The left-handed Trinidadian opened the batting and lifted nine balls over the ropes and hit a four as Montreal Tigers safely reached 165-4 in 17.3 overs replying to West Indies B’s challenging 162-7 from the full quota of 20 overs.
Montreal Tigers ended the first and preliminary round at the bottom of the points table while the Caribbean lads finished top with eight points from five matches.
Despite the loss, West Indies B will still advance to the qualifier stage, which commences today at the same facility, while Tigers will have to wait and hope that the other participating sides also face heavy defeats.
Last evening, second-place Vancouver Knights and fifth-place Toronto Nationals were expected to meet while the third and fourth-place teams were expected to clash Wednesday morning.
Narine began aggressively, immediately spanking two consecutive sixes. He was caught in the eighth over to left-arm orthodox spinner Khary Pierre, who was the most successful bowler with 2-25 off four overs.
Despite an early wobble, Montreal Tigers underlined their batting strength and depth with Australian Moises Henriques supported well with 32.
Fireworks continued towards the end as Sikandar Raza and Najibulla Zadra were also belligerent, finishing unbeaten with 32 and 29 respectively after West Indies B fought back gallantly with some tight bowling on an animated pitch.
Earlier, West Indies B took first knock after they were sent in. Barbadian Shamar Springer produced a fine innings to lead the way with 62, counting seven fours and three sixes from 40 balls. The 20-year-old Springer started the innings with Guyanese Shane Rutherford, who was bowled comprehensively by pacer and skipper Lasith Malinga for two.
Springer and the in-form number three batsman Brandon King steadied the innings by putting on a well-crafted 72-run second-wicket partnership to give the innings momentum, but once they were separated, wickets fell on a regular basis. Nicolas Pooran showed great inclination to be patient, but was undone for 23. Captain Anthony Bramble (04), Fabian Allen (11) and Kavem Hodge (13) then did not occupy the crease too long.
Nepal’s 17-year-old leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichane, who was roughed up initially by Springer, ended with impressive figures of 3-31 from his four-over spell while medium pacer Cecil Pervez collected 2-31 off four overs.
This is West Indies B’s second successive defeat having won their first four encounters, all in convincing fashion.
The tournament, which began late last month, will conclude on Sunday also at the Maple Leaf venue when the championship contest bowls off from 15:00h. The victorious side will pocket US$500, 000 while a similar amount will be shared out as well in other prizes. (Ravi Madholall)