Chris Lynn Steers Montreal Tigers To Second Win At Global T20

By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto
Solid opening batsman Chris Lynn stroked an impressive, unbeaten 64 to lead Montreal Tigers to their second consecutive wins on Sunday when action continued at this year’s Global T20 in Canada.

Playing at Brampton Sports Park, in Ontario Province, the right-handed Australian Lynn hit nine fours and a six to help Tigers surpassing Mississauga Panthers’ inadequate 140-6 from the 20-overs.

In their opening match against Surrey Jaguars, Montreal Tigers sealed a comfortable five-wicket win and on this occasion, again they made light works in the chase having achieved victory with 25 balls remaining.

The skipper Lynn lost his opening partner Muhammad Waseem (04) but then associated with Bangladesh’s ace player Shakib Al Hasan with a steady 60-run second-wicket stand.

Hasan has been in superb form having hoisted two nonchalant sixes and five fours in his 24-ball 26. Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford also played well to ensure that Montreal Tigers keep roaring to victory having knocked 27.

Earlier, Mississauga Panthers still cannot find a winning formula as they remained winless from three matches.

Since the commencement of the third edition, the batting again showed occasional belligerence with the “Universe Boss” Chris Gayle, Jimmy Neesham and Azam Khan, but this total turned out to be moderate.

The left-handed Neesham slammed an unbeaten 54 from 35 deliveries which included two sixes and four fours while Canadian Navneet Dhaliwal scoring a fine 46 and 26 from Khan. There was no substantial partnership as wickets fell with a great amount of regularity.

Gayle only made one while his opening partner Tom Cooper with similar score leaving their team tottering at 3-2.

Left-arm pacer Kaleem Sana bowled Cooper first before former West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite removed Gayle also bowled as the decision to field first justified.

Sana was later named player-of-the-match for his outstanding bowling performance with 3-8 from four tidy overs while Brathwaite captured 2-21 off his maximum four overs.

In the match later down the day, there was no result as rain had the final say between defending champions Brampton Wolves and Surrey Jaguars. Wolves were 50-3 in the 8th over when torrential showers began and prevented further play.

The six-franchised tournament, which got cracking last Thursday, will resume Tuesday with two more matches.

At 11:00 am, Surrey Jaguars will confront Toronto Nationals while from 3:30 pm, Montreal Tigers will clash with Vancouver Knight Riders.

Meanwhile, Wolves are leading the points table while Tigers in second position and Nationals occupying the number 3 spot. Riders and Jaguars holding number 4 and 5 respectively as Panthers languishing at the bottom.