EVEREST Cricket Club (ECC) recently held their awards ceremony to recognise outstanding individual performances among members in the calendar year 2025.
The gala event was held in the club’s renovated banquet hall where outstanding cricketers at the Second Division, First Division and Masters categories were honoured.
It was an evening of reflection and fun among members of the 112-year-old cricket club where Test opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul copped the Batsman of the Year Award for amassing 142 runs in two innings while consistent left-arm orthodox spinner, Javed Rasheed grabbed 14 wickets in five matches to be adjudged Bowler of the Year in the First Division category.
In the Second Division category, teenage leg-spinning sensation, Nityanand Matura made a clean sweep grabbing Batsman of the Year and Bowler of the Year after scoring 139 runs and bagging 17 wickets from five matches.
In the Masters category, former West Indies under-19 player Hemraj Garbarran tallied 374 runs to cop the Batsman of the Year Award while former National Youth leggie, Lookeshwar Mahabeer picked up 28 wickets to be named Bowler of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Also in the Masters category, Vishan Lall (87 not out) and Shazam Ramjohn (87) were recognised for scoring the Highest Individual Score while leg-spinner, Surujdeo Ramdeen captured the Best Individual Bowling Figures, 5/23 which turned out to be the lone five-wicket haul in the Masters category in 2025.
Additionally, the club also presented Special Awards to Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu, Richie Looknauth, Matura and Antonell Atwell.
Chanderpaul was recognised for his recall to the West Indies Test side while Matthew Nandu was singled out for leading Demerara to a successful title defence in the Senior Men’s Inter-County Super50 championship and for being named captain of the Guyana Harpy Eagles in the Regional Super50 tournament.
Consistent off-break bowler, Richie Looknauth was rewarded for making his First-Class debut for the Guyana Harpy Eagles and Mathura was honoured for making the National under-19 side in 2025.
Antonell Atwell was one of four Everest Masters that were in the West Indies Over-40s team in the recent over-40s Cricket World Cup in Pakistan. The all-rounder was named the Most Valuable Player in that tournament and was specially acknowledged by his teammates as well.
In brief remarks, Captain of Everest Masters, Rajesh Singh thanked the sponsors, spouses and players for their support to the club in 2025. Singh who is a former President of the club, urged all players to strive for continued fitness to continue to give dedicated service to their respective teams. On behalf of the club, Singh pledged more support for the First and Second Division sides from the level of management.
Former National Youth player, Javed Rasheed spoke on behalf of the First and Second Division sides and reflected on a year of ‘mixed fortunes where the club narrowly missed out on semifinal spots in multiple tournaments. Rasheed also expressed optimism for more matches to be played in the calendar year.
Among those present at the evening of fun were former West Indies openers Rajendra Chandrika and Ryan Ramdass who assisted with the presentation of prizes.
