North Side Future Stars delivered a powerful statement at the North Zone T20 festival on Friday night in a Group 2 fixture at Diego Martin, cruising to a seven-wicket victory over 2024 finalists Savannah Boys.
Chasing 149 for victory, North Side brushed aside their more experienced opponents with 13 balls to spare, thanks to a classy unbeaten 50 from former national youth player Kyle Ramdoo.
The stylish left-hander smashed three sixes and two fours off just 31 balls, anchoring the chase with maturity and flair.
Ramdoo found a reliable partner in Akiel Guerra, who struck a confident 38 not out, as the pair added a match-winning 92 runs for the fourth wicket to shut Savannah Boys out of the contest.
Savannah Boys’ bowlers struggled to make breakthroughs in defence of their modest total, with only Vijay Teemal (1/26) and Luke Ali (1/26) managing to claim wickets.
Earlier, Savannah Boys never recovered from a mid-innings slump after a promising start.
Opener Ali struck 39 to give them early momentum, but his dismissal at 64 for 2 triggered a sluggish middle-order response from Savannah Boys.
North Zone youth player and QRC star Trevor Padilla ripped through the middle order, claiming 4 for 20.
He was well supported by Andre Medina (1/13), Kendall Guerra (1/21), and Kwesi Fournillier (1/31), as Savannah Boys stumbled to 148 for 8.
The win underlined North Side Future Stars’ potential and signaled their intent to be genuine contenders in this year’s competition.
They play former champions Glenora Sports Club in their second game on Sunday.
For Savannah Boys, who are also in action on Sunday, they must regroup quickly ahead of their clash with Shannon Sports, who are fresh off their five-wicket win over Bourg Mulatresse CCC.
Meanwhile, excitement is building ahead of Saturday’s marquee fixture: The Harvard Club vs. Ebony Sports, with legend Brian Lara turning out for the club where his career began.
Lara’s announcement on the eve of the tournament that he will play for Harvard created great excitement ahead of the 2025 North Zone T20 Festival.
The 56-year-old last played T20 cricket in March for the West Indies Masters against India Masters in the final of the International Masters League in Raipur.
Lara scored 113 runs in five matches, averaging 28.25 with a strike rate of 119.94.
Summarized scores: Savannah Boys 148 for 8 in 20 overs (Luke Ali 39, Verune Ramnarine 21, Naresh Persaud (16); Trevor Padilla 4/20, Andre Medina 1/13, Kendall Gerra 1/21) vs. North Side Future Stars 149 for 3 in 17.5 overs (Kyle Ramdoo 50*, Akiel Guerra 38*, Jesse Sookwah 23; Vijay Teemal, Luke Ali 1/26). North Side won by seven wickets
