NATIONAL cricketer, Chandrapaul Hemraj, struck a blistering unbeaten 80 to lead defending champions, the Phoenix Cricket Club, to a 10-wicket victory for their third win in as many tries in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Cricket Zone T20 Cup.

Fellow pro-Guyanese side, Majestic CC won the toss and opted to bat first at Cunningham Park on Saturday, but they lost their talisman, Chris Patandin (0) via the run-out route. Only number three batsman, Troy Haley with 24 (1X4, 3X6s) from 15 balls, and tail-ender, Nicholas Ramrattan with an unbeaten 25 (4X4s) from 13 balls bothered the star-studded bowling attack of the defending champs as Majestic CC struggled to 103 before they were bowled out in 16.2 overs.

Former West Indies U-19 cricketer, Gajanand Singh, spun his way to four wickets (4-14 from four overs), while former West Indies Test spinner, Devendra Bishoo, supported with 2-27 from four overs and national cricketer, Akshaya Persaud took 2-23 from four overs.

Hemraj, who got the last wicket, supported with 1-10 from 1.2 overs.

Needed to score at just 5.2 runs per over, Phoenix wasted no time in the chase. Hemraj struck four fours and 10 massive sixes for a 24-ball 80.

Persaud, who has been in good form, supported with an unbeaten 20 (2X4s, 1X6) from 17 balls.