“JAMAICA SHINES THE BRIGHTEST AT NIGHT CRICKET!!!!!” For the 8th time in the last 11 seasons, Jamaica has raised the Champions Mayor’s Cup of the renowned Lauderhill MAQ T20 International Night Cricket Tournament. Last Saturday Night’s Championship Match had Jamaica defending its string of titles against Sri Lanka, which was competing in the finals for the very first time at the Lauderhill Sport’s Park.
Winning the tossed and electing to bat, Sri Lanka faltered and fumbled for modest 133 in 16.5 overs against a hostile Jamaican bowling attack. Batting for Sri Lanka, the explosive Naveed Ahamed slammed 43 from 22 balls including eight delightful fours and one powerful six. Other useful contributions came from Srinivas Nandina scoring 30 including three fours and one six, whilst Sayed Hassan stroked 26 from 17 balls with two fours and two sixes. Bowling for Jamaica, the opening pair of Glenroy Anglin three for 25 and Herlando Johnson three for 33, proved too much for the Sri Lanka top and middle order batsmen. The Sri Lanka batsmen struggle to assert themselves against the hostile pace and accuracy of the Jamaican opening bowlers on a fast and bouncy wicket. They were unable to construct partnerships and buckled and swayed without any resistance. Also bowling for Jamaica, Neville Dawkins grabbed 1 for 21 and Keyonie Gayle 1 for 36.
In reply, the Jamaicans run chase was spearheaded by USA former national player Mark Johnson who slammed a bazooka 42 not out from 27 balls. Johnson unleashed three exquisitely delightful fours and three sixes as he entertained the large crowd with delectable stroke play. Johnson and Captain Ken Wright shared an unbeaten 79 runs second wicket partnership, with Wright scoring 39 not out including four fours and two sixes. The Jamaican ended on 134 – 2 in 15.4 over’s as the curtains was brought down on another successful Lauderhill Maq T20 International Night Cricket Tournament with the Jamaicans leaping to victory..
Through the endorsements of the South Florida Cricket Alliance and Florida Southeast Cricket League, the Night Cricket Tournament has achieved the reputation as cricket’s largest and most-popular night tournament. Underwritten by Cricket Council USA, Sports and entertainment management Company and the City of Lauderhill, this year’s tournament enjoying record-breaking crowds each Saturday night at the Lauderhill Sports Park were fans have been thrilled by the high level of cricket competition.
After the game, Mayor Richard J. Kaplan, City of Lauderhill, Mohammed Markatia, Chairman-Board of Directors-CCUSA and Broward County Commissioner-District 9, Dale V. C. Holness award the Mayor’s Cup, medals and winning purse from Cricket Council USA and Lauderhill Mall. Mayor Kaplan hailed the explosive Jamaican team members, as they notched their eighth Championship.
Trinidad & Tobago member, Stephan Babula earned the tournament MVP and most runs awards, whilst Rizwan Mohammad from the World XI earned the award for most wickets in the tournament. Naveed Ahamed and Stephan Babula earned awards for scoring 105 and 107 respectively. Cricket Council USA and City of Lauderhill extends a special thanks to the sponsors, umpires, scorers, DJ’s, ground’s staff, commentators and spectators for continued support for the Lauderhill Maq T20 International Night Cricket Tournament.
