Brampton Wolves Begin Defense With Win At Global T20 Canada Tourney

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
Brampton Wolves began their defense at the Global T20 tournament with a 44-run win Under the Duckworth Lewis Method against Mississauga Panthers on Thursday at the Brampton Sports Park, Ontario, Canada.

Having won the toss and elected to field in glorious sunshine, Brampton Wolves bowled excellently well to limit Mississauga Panthers to a moderate 121 all out off the 20-overs.

But in contrasting weather with dark clouds, Wolves were galloping at 99-1 in 9 overs when rain intervened and halted proceedings.

Stylist opener Aaron Johnson was showcasing his T20 temperament at the time already lifting five sixes and struck three fours from his 26-ball 48 not out.

He and Mark Chapman were in a belligerent 76-run second-wicket stand after Usman Khan departed for 12.

The New Zealander Chapman was 30 having batted with confidence and fluency.

Earlier, Brampton Wolves’ decision to bowl first on a responsive pitch was vindicated as several wickets fell quickly including the “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle who only made 10. Tom Cooper (3) and Captain Shoaib Malik (12) were the early victims.

Malik’s Pakistanis partner Azam Khan batted brilliantly though as he hit a top-score of 65 to bring some stability to the innings.

He got support from Canadian batsman Navneet Dhaliwal who contributed 29 but their dismals also triggered a lower-order collapse.

Khan clobbered three effortless sixes and five fours during his 55-ball stay at the crease as Netherlands’ utility player and right-arm seamer Logan van Beek grabbed four wickets for 12 runs from four economical overs to be the leading bowler.

Australian off-spinner Chris Green showed great accuracy too and finished off with 2-17 off his maximum four overs.

Beek was named player-of-the-match at the post-match presentation. The game was watched by over 3000 spectators on a working day. The match venue is located about 45-minute constant drive from the famous city of Toronto.

Meanwhile, the action will continue Friday with a double-header. Vancouver Knight Riders will collide with Toronto Nationals from 11:00 am while at 3:30 pm, Montreal Tigers doing battle with Surrey Jaguars.

This year marks the third edition for the tournament which was inaugurated in 2018 and continued in 2019. But due to the Global Pandemic the next year, things were kept understandably off field for the next straight years.

On every occasions, six franchised teams have been competing. Vancouver Knight Riders claimed the first trophy where it was played at Canada’s international facility: King City.

This year’s competition will complete August 6th. All matches are slated for the Brampton Sports Park.