Zahib Tariq and Andy Mohammed continues to prove why they are two of USA best youth cricketers. Mohammed is well known as one of the country’s best young opening batsman, but his left-arm orthodox bowling style is also a vital aspect of the youngster game.

Mohammed is not a big spinner of the ball, but he knows how to think and get batsmen out when it matters the most.  Furthermore, fifteen-year old  Zahib Tariq continues to impress the US selectors with his all-round performance at the U-19 as well.

Zahib Tariq struck a match saving 48 and return with the ball to take 4 for 19. Photo by Shiek Mohamed.

Tariq was named the number one player of the 2010 USACA U-15 National Tournament, in which he averaged 93.5.

On day one of the USACA Eastern Conference U-19 National Youth Tournament, Atlantic Cricket Region skittle out the New York Region for a merely 127 runs from 46.4 overs. New York top batsmen of A. Mohammed, T. Carmichael, T. Singh, and K. Bridgepaul all went duck hunting on day one, but young Tariq announced his present with a well played 48 when needed.  He was well supported by R. Kowchai (19), and I. Freeman (13).

The Atlantic region did a tremendous job in restricting the NY talented batsmen to such a low total, but the “Big Apple” boys were not ready to surrender. Coach Ricky Kissoon, and manager Patrick Sutherland huddled and instilled “teamwork” effort to all the boys, and the youngsters took it and ran.

The New York Region team took the match away from the Atlantic Region with some excellent spin bowling by A. Mohammed, and Z. Tariq.  Andy would finish with bowling figures of 6-0-19-4, and Tariq completed an all-round performance of 10-0-19-4.  The New York spinners of Tariq, Mohammed, and, Gandhi accounted for nine of the Atlantic Region batsmen, while off-spinner Maurice Powell bowled a tight spell of 7-1-21-0.

New York will face the South East Region today in their second match scheduled to play Clinton Avenue Field in New Haven, CT.  Good luck youngsters!

Match Summary:  NYCR – 127 all-out after 46.4 overs
Z. Tariq – 48
R. Kowchai – 19
I. Freeman – 13

Bowlers:
Z. Tariq: 10-0-19-4
A. Mohammed: 6-0-19-4
S. Gandhi: 8-1-35-1
M. Powell: 7-1-21-0

Atlantic Region:  120 all-out after 37 overs

Man-of-the-Match: Zahib Tariq