Guyana Consulate X1 cart off T20 feature versus TPCC

THE Toronto Police Cricket CLUB (TPCC) ground, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada was a hive of activity last Saturday, as hundreds brave the inclement weather for a grand flag-raising ceremony and cricket match to celebrate Guyana’s 58th Independence anniversary.
Organised by the Guyana Consulate in Toronto and the TPCC, the feature match saw the Guyana Consulate team defeating TPCC by 25 runs in the T-20 affair.

Led by a fine undefeated 43 by Abdool Samad 22 not out from Mu’adh Shariff, the Guyana Consulate X1 reached 128 for four in their allotted 20 overs, before limiting their opponents to 103 for eight when their innings expired.
The Guyana-born Samad, who represented Canada at the One-day level and who is the brother of the late former Guyana National player, Fazil Abdool “Terminator” Sattaur, blasted two fours and three sixes in his knock while sharing an unbeaten 51-run partnership with Shariff. Former Canadian player, George Codrington, was TPCC’s best bowler with two for 20.

TPCC’s top scorer was Surendra Seeraj who’s 25 included three fours, while Ejaz contributed 23 (one four, one six). Shariff was also among the wickets, grabbing two for 28 while there was one wicket each for Samad and Ian Baldeo.
The day was described as very eventful and successful for the Guyana Consulate with Honorary Consul, Mani Singh, pointing out that the Consulate was ecstatic its team was able to wrestle away the trophy from the very strong and competent Police Cricket Team.

The match was organised by the Consulate’s Sports Adviser, Shiv Persaud, who is also President of both the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and President of the Toronto Police Cricket Team, Raj Singh.
The Guyana Consulate side also included former National players Sunil Dhaniram, Azib Ali Hanif, Kenneth Wong and Eion Katchay.

The Honorary Consul was led into the cricket ground by a Police Motorcycle escort and welcomed by two Police Equestrian Officers on their horses. Consul Singh then walked past a 13-man Police salute, and both the Canadian and Guyanese flags were hoisted as the respective National Anthems were sung to commemorate the special occasion of Guyana’s 58th Independence anniversary.
The cricket match was another one of several events planned by the Guyana Consulate in Toronto to celebrate the Independence anniversary. (Frederick Halley).