Invincible did not let the rain get in the way as they defeated Paragon Sports and Cultural Club on Duckworth/Lewis in the North Zone T20 competition on Thursday afternoon at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex.
In the first match of the doubleheader, Invincible won the toss and opted to bat first but lost wickets consistently along the way. The game was reduced to 17 overs after rain interrupted the game in the second over. Opener Shamir Ali propped up the innings with 34 runs while Raphael Ali chipped in with 29. Both Kennard Maison and Sherwin Benjamin took three wickets each for Paragon. Invincible ended on 143 for nine.
It left Paragon chasing 144 runs to win from 102 balls. They, too, consistently lost wickets in the chase. Brent Lezama top-scored with an unbeaten 23 as Paragon stumbled to 109 for five in 17 overs losing by 35 runs on D/L method. Raphael Ali had two for 21 for Invincible.
Second Game
Meanwhile, in the day’s second game, Renaldo Sammy led Police to a resounding victory over Barataria Ball Players. The latter won the toss, opted to bowl first, and was met with a 67-run opening partnership between Imran Hosein and Antonio Gonzales.
Hosein hit 28 while Gonzales made 35. However, it was Sammy’s power-hitting that stole the spotlight. He smashed 71 runs from 36 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. His knock propelled Police to 205 for five from their 20 overs. Rayad Emrit chipped in with an unbeaten 32 from 21 balls.
In response, opening batsman Romel Kimkeran led the way with 37 for Barataria Ball Players. It was the top score of the innings and included three fours and three sixes. Marlon Phillip hit an aggressive 32 but Barataria Ball Players would only get to 152 for eight before running out of overs. They went down by 53 runs with Justin Joseph finishing with three for 27 for Police.
Semi-Final Match-ups
It meant Police topped their group by virtue of a better net run rate than Santa Cruz. Both teams finished with seven points. In the other group, Glenora Sports Club also finished on top of the standings due to a better net run rate. Glenora, Savannah Boys, and Invincible all finished with six points, but Savannah Boys pipped Invincible for a semi-final spot. The semi-finals take place on Sunday afternoon with the first match at 2 pm and the second match at 6:30 pm.
Police vs Barataria scorecard here
Invincible vs Paragon scorecard here
Summarised scores:
INVINCIBLE 143/9 (16.3 ov). S. Ali 34, R. Ali 29; K. Maison 3-20, S. Benjamin 3-21. PARAGON 109/5 (17 ov). B. Lezama 23 not out, N. Benjamin 17; R. Ali 2-21. Invincible won by 35 runs (D/L method).
POLICE 205/5 (20 ov). R. Sammy 71, A. Gonzales 35, R. Emrit 32. BARATARIA BALL PLAYERS 152/8 (20 ov). R. Kimkeran 37, M. Phillip 32; J. Joseph 3-27. Police won by 53 runs.
Semi-final line-ups:
Police vs Savannah Boys @ 2pm
Glenora vs Santa Cruz @ 6:30 pm
