IMC O-40s World Cup
THE West Indies Masters team completed their preparations for the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup with a five-wicket victory over the United States of America (USA) in their final warm-up match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Thursday.
Captain Denesh Ramdin struck 79, Randy Thomas contributed 70, and Imran Khan delivered an outstanding all-round performance as West Indies successfully chased USA’s 264-8, reaching 265-5 in 42.5 overs.
Khan, who was named Player of the Match, claimed four wickets for 43 runs before returning with the bat to score an unbeaten 62 from 48 deliveries.
The match marked West Indies’ first outing at Providence ahead of Saturday’s tournament opener against Australia and provided an important opportunity for the players to assess the conditions.
The pitch was hard during USA’s innings but became more challenging for batting as the match progressed, with some deliveries keeping low. USA’s slower bowlers also made scoring difficult during the chase.
Earlier, USA won the toss and elected to bat, with openers Zeshan Muhammad and Prasanna Ramaswamy putting their team in a strong position.
Muhammad struck 68 from 62 balls, including 12 fours and one six, while Ramaswamy made 64 from 56 deliveries, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
The opening pair added 137 runs before Khan bowled Muhammad in the 20th over. Ramaswamy was run out shortly afterwards, leaving USA on 138-2.
Ankur Kassal contributed 30, while Petson Mathews struck an unbeaten 45 from 45 balls to help USA reach a competitive total.
Mathews also shared a 51-run partnership with Sudhindra Shetty, who made 15.
Khan was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with 4-43 from nine overs. Reno Mittelholzer supported with 2-47 from eight overs, while Rakesh Maharaj took 1-44.
In reply, West Indies lost Hemnarine Chattergoon for 12, Antonnel Atwell for nine and Lawrence Farnum for eight to slip to 53-3 after nine overs.
However, Thomas and Ramdin steadied the innings with a 105-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Thomas struck 10 fours in his 70 from 65 balls, while Ramdin played a patient innings to keep West Indies on course.
After Thomas departed with the score on 158, Ramdin found valuable support from Khan as the pair continued the chase.
Ramdin eventually fell for 79 from 96 balls, an innings that included five fours and one six, leaving West Indies on 240-5.
Khan remained unbeaten on 62, striking seven fours and one six, and combined with Nickey Lathman, who made 11 not out, to guide the Caribbean side to victory with 13 balls remaining.
Mahendra Krishnappa was USA’s leading bowler with 2-29 from six overs.
The victory completed West Indies’ warm-up programme ahead of the IMC Over-40s World Cup, which begins on Saturday, October 17.
West Indies will face Australia in the opening fixture at Providence, with the tournament bringing together 15 teams competing across Guyana.
The competition concludes on October 31, with the final scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium.
Summarised Scores: USA 264-8 (45 overs): Zeshan Muhammad 68, Prasanna Ramaswamy 64, Petson Mathews 45 not out; Imran Khan 4-43, Reno Mittelholzer 2-47, Rakesh Maharaj 1-44.
West Indies 265-5 (42.5 overs): Denesh Ramdin 79, Randy Thomas 70, Imran Khan 62 not out; Mahendra Krishnappa 2-29, Prasanna Ramaswamy 1-30, Aamir Shahzad 1-37.
