(Kaieteur News) – Japhet Khan produced a brilliant all-round performance to spearhead Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy into the final of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Faizal Jaffarally Under-12 tournament on Sunday, as they crushed Cotton Tree Cricket Club by 125 runs at the Area ‘H’ Ground.
Khan struck a commanding 65 before returning with the ball to claim two wickets, inspiring the home side to a comprehensive victory in humid conditions in front of a fair-sized crowd.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy endured an early setback, losing openers Eon Dhanpat and Daniel La Cruz for ducks to slump to 8-2 in the second over.
The winning Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy team
However, Khan and Ejaz Ishmael steadied the innings with a crucial 100-run partnership for the third wicket, rebuilding the home team’s position and laying the foundation for a competitive total.
Ishmael was eventually dismissed for a patient 34, while Khan continued to dominate with a mature innings of 65, which included four sixes and nine boundaries.
Captain Jarrel Grant and Berbice Under-13 player Lamar La Fleur then combined for a valuable 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket, pushing Rose Hall Town towards a formidable total.
Grant contributed 21, including one six and one four, before being brilliantly caught on the midwicket boundary with the score at 176-5 in the 20th over.
La Fleur remained unbeaten on 35, striking four boundaries and a six, while Tamesh Narine finished unbeaten on two as Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy posted 180-5 from their allotted 20 overs.
Aaron Laurie was the pick of the Cotton Tree bowlers, claiming 2-36.
Chasing 181 for victory and a place in their first-ever Berbice junior final, Cotton Tree struggled against a disciplined Rose Hall Town bowling attack.
The visitors were dismissed for a paltry 55 in 16.3 overs, suffering a comprehensive defeat as none of their batters managed to reach double figures. A.R. Ganesh top-scored with six, while extras contributed a team-high 34 runs.
Ejaz Ishmael delivered an economical spell, claiming 2-10 from four overs, while Khan continued his outstanding afternoon with 2-8 from three overs.
Eon Dhanpat, Grant, Navo Raghoo and La Cruz chipped in with one wicket apiece, while two Cotton Tree batters were run out to complete the rout.
Source: Kaieteur News
