West Indian Softball Association
By Darshan Chickery
Nashad Hamid scored New York’s first century of the 2012 softball cricket season. Yes, that includes both leagues (WISA & NYSCL). Continuing from where he left off last week where he was unfortunately ran out for 35. Hamid blasted his match winning inning from sixty eight (68) deliveries. His entertaining knock was filled with exquisite cover drives for fours (10) and a flurry of pulls and hooks for sixes (6).
Nashad Hamid of Richmond Hill.
In the second round of the WISA 25 over competition, Richmond Hill lost the toss to President XI whom decided to take first strike. After a very brisk start (20 without loss from the first over), President XI were 37 for 2 after five overs. Owen Prince and Roy Comacho took the score to 92 before Comacho was comprehensively bowled by Kumar Chickery for 26 in the thirteenth over. Prince and Jai Singh added 20 to the score before Prince went for a crafty 29. Singh followed one run later to leave President XI at 113 for 5 in the in the 15th over. Mike Balkaran and his nephew Suresh Balkaran batted sensibly to take the score to 149 when Suresh was caught by Imran Wahab off Kumar Chickery.
Needing to consolidate, Mike batted with Presidents’ tail to take to score to 189 for eight off the allotted 25 overs. Mike top scored with 47 not out. His knock contained six fours and a six. Richmond Hill’s Kumar Chickery took 3 for 26 from five overs. He was well supported by Nashad Hamid with 3 for 40 from fives overs.
Requiring almost 8 an over, Richmond Hill got off to a steady start before Satish Wilfred went for 14 with the score at 46. Navin Persaud joined Hamid but fell for 3 to a Roy Comacho’s full toss. Skipper Shashi Wilfred and Hamid added 47 for the third wicket before Wilfred went for a Hurricane like 28. Kumar Chickery then lost his wicket via the run out route for one to leave Richmond Hill at 112 for 4 in the 13th over at the break.
After the break, Hamid switched gears and stroked the ball ‘a la’ IPL style. Richmond Hill knocked off the required 190 in 18.5 overs.
Richmond Hill’s next opponent is last years’ 20 over champions – Mafia.