TRELAWNY, Jamaica, (CMC) – Krishmar Santokie trumped a half-century from Ashish Bagai to lead Jamaica to a 63-run victory over Canada in their Jamaica Cricket Festival Twenty20 match yesterday. Santokie snared three wickets for a miserly seven runs in three overs, as Canada, chasing 176 for victory in their allocation of 20 overs, were restricted to 112 for eight.

Bagai, the Canada captain and long-standing wicketkeeper/batsman, struck two fours and one six in the top score of a run-a-ball 51.

Rizwan Cheema made 24, and was the only other Canadian batsman to score more than 20.

Off-spinner Bevon Brown, and Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert, bowling his part-time off-spin, made sure Canada did not fight back, after they slumped to 32 for four.

Usman Limbada joined Bagai at the crease, and added 55 for the fifth wicket before Lambert had him caught in the deep.

The Jamaican bowlers ensured there was not a Canadian recovery, as they lost their next four wickets for 25 runs.

Earlier, a handful of the Jamaica top-order batsmen got starts, but no one carried on – Danza Hyatt led the way with 48, Donovan Pagon was not out on 33, Jon-Ross Campbell made 28, and Brenton Parchment got 22.

Hyatt and Parchment had set the platform for the Jamaicans with an opening stand of 64, and the hosts continued to build on their good work.

Parth Desai was the most successful Canadian bowler with three for 21 from his allotment of four overs.