TORONTO, Canada – Sunil Narine seems bent on ensuring his short stint in this year’s Global T20 Canada will be worth the while, as he plundered a boundary-studded 59 to lead Montreal Tigers to a 24-run victory over Winnipeg Hawks when the tournament continued at the CAA Centre Brampton, Ontario on Friday.

The match, which was reduced to 12 overs because of a late start, saw Montreal Tigers reach a challenging 135 for three after being inserted by skipper Ryad Emrit. Winnipeg could muster, in reply, only 111 for five when their overs expired.

Set to leave here in another few days to join the West Indies T20 side in Florida, for their two encounters versus India, the pugnacious left-hander clobbered four fours and five sixes in a no-nonsense knock at the top of the order before he was eventually run-out.

Narine, who made his intentions clear from the outset, added 33 in 3.3 overs with fellow opener Kyle Coetzer (11), before the latter was bowled by a slow full toss from the experienced Dwayne Bravo. He failed to connect and ended up losing his middle stump.

The mystery spinner, who is returning to the West Indies setup after some two years, then found a more than useful ally in Anton Devcich (40 not out) as the two added a further 65 for the second wicket with the New Zealander’s 23-ball knock counting three fours and two sixes.

Narine’s scintillating knock ended when he set off for a suicidal single. Shaiman Anwar’s quick release caught him short of his crease. Bravo was by far the best bowler on show for Winnipeg Hawks, claiming one for 16 in his three overs.

In reply, Pakistani mercurial batsman Umar Akmal led the charge for Winnipeg Hawks with an attacking 49, but his effort proved in vain as they were left high and dry on 111 for five after their 12 overs.

The right-handed Akmal, who smashed three fours and four sixes, went caught by Mathew Cross, top-edging a delivery from fast bowler Mohammed Naveed, signalling the end of his team’s effort as Bravo (one) also went in the same over, adjudged lbw to one that straightened up, Naveed ended with two for 26.

Veteran opener Dwayne Smith (nine) was the first to go, having his stumps knocked over by fast bowler Kyle Abbott, essaying a drive through the off-side. Spinner Nikhil Dutta accounted for JP Duminy after the South African had looked well set on 30, spanking two fours and three sixes.

An elated Montreal coach Tom Moody said the victory was a great booster for the three-week tournament while praising the efforts of man-of-the-match Narine. (Frederick Halley)