Singh, Shamsudeen also of Guyanese roots

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – Contrary to a report in our yesterday’s issue which stated that Ashtan Deosammy was the lone player with Guyanese roots in the Canadian Under-19 World Cup squad, it was brought to our attention that opening batsman Kevin Singh is also of Guyanese parentage while another player, Raqib Shamsudeen who is on the reserve list, also has Guyanese parents living in Toronto.

According to Singh’s father, Amar Singh, who hails from Burma, Mahaicony, his son represents Mississauga Ramblers in the Toronto & District Association (TDCA) and has been excelling over the years as an opener.

Singh is listed as the second highest scorer in the TDCA Junior category, tallying 1 518 runs while he has an aggregate of 715 runs in the 2017 season, inclusive of the highest score of 154 in the junior division. He has also recorded five half-centuries.
Meanwhile, close relatives of Shamsudeen are questioning his omission from the squad.

According to a senior member of his family, the 16-year-old should have been an automatic selection, based on his statistics over the past few years. He, however, stated that the family has accepted Cricket Canada’s decision and has vowed to support the youngster in his cricketing endeavours.

The elder Shamsudeen pointed out that Raqib, who plays for Tranzac Cricket Academy in Toronto District Cricket Association League, also represents Everest Cricket Club during March breaks and has done so over the last two years.
According to the TDCA website, Raqib, who is a left-arm leg-break chinaman bowler, is also ranked 14 in the batting department.

Shamsudeen’s bowling stats in the Elite and Premier Division over 92 matches are: 478 overs,1 315 runs, 124 wickets at an economy rate of 2.78 and average of 1060 per wicket.
His figures are also flattering at the youth levels (Under-13, U-15, U-16, U-18 and U-19) where he claimed 74 wickets in 61 games with an economy rate of 4.56m while averaging 11.43 runs per wicket.

Canada will compete alongside Bangladesh, England and Namibia in Group C in what is the 11th edition of the tournament and the third to be held in New Zealand.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Super League while the remaining eight teams will figure in the plate championship. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the Super League will be among the 20 matches to be broadcast live.

The final will be played at Bay Oval in Tauranga on February 3 while both semi-finals will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 29 and 30.
The plate tournament will run simultaneously but end with the final at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch, January 28.