By Frederick Halley

WEST Indies Over-40 Masters registered their first win of the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40 World Cup with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Namibia as day four of the tournament continued at various venues around Guyana. The triumph followed consecutive defeats at the hands of Australia and defending champions South Africa.
The game, played at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, saw West Indies, who were set 144 for victory, after bowling out their opponents for 143 in 31.3 overs, rushing to 146 for two in 12.2 overs, thereby enhancing their net run rate.
Former West Indies players, opener Sewnarine Chattergoon and Jason Mohamed led the onslaught with 57 and 43 not out respectively. Chattergoon, who was later named man-of-the-match, struck eight fours and two sixes off 28 balls while Mohamed’s 18-ball knock was spiced with eight fours and one six. Opener Randy Thomas chipped with 29 (two fours and two sixes).

Earlier, Namibia never recovered from a poor start, with Trevor Benn making two early inroads and ending with two for 16 from three overs. Chris Mittleholzer, with four for 21 from six overs, Imran Khan with three for 48 and Devendra Bishoo, two for 25 polished off the innings despite some lusty hitting towards the latter part of the innings from Hendrik Geldenhuis who smashed four fours and three sixes in a top score of 43, batting at number nine.
England remained faultless with their fourth consecutive win, beating Pakistan by seven wickets at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
Led by a brilliant undefeated 119 from Ben Frazer, which contained 13 fours and two sixes, England reached 211 for three in 33 .3 overs after dismissing the Pakistanis for 210 in 41.3 overs.
Frazer, who batted at number three, shared a second wicket stand of 101 with opener Steve Naylor (35).
Sheharyar Ghani, with a splendid 86, which included five fours and an equal number of sixes, led the way for Pakistan with Naylor capturing four for 29 from 5.3 overs.
Canada, who registered a stunning upset against Australia on Tuesday, continued their winning ways with a huge 208-run win over Wales at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
After piling up 393 for seven in their allotted 45 overs, the Canadians restricted Wales to 185 for seven in 45 overs.
Opener Bhavneet Bathia bludgeoned 26 fours and two sixes in his knock of 160 which came off a mere 116 balls. He shared a third wicket stand of 135 off 61 balls with Royston Crandon who’s rich vein of form continued with another fine knock of 76 with five fours and five sixes off just 36 balls.
Wales were more intent on batting out the overs than chasing the huge total and safely negotiated all 45 overs with Iroshan De Sliva ending on 45 not out.
Led by an eight-wicket haul from opening bowler Robert Mutch, defending champions South Africa demolished hapless Colombia at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.
Mutch, who grabbed an incredible eight for 10 in 6.5 overs, sent the Colombians packing for 58 all out in 23.5 overs. South Africa reached the target in 7.2 overs, losing two wickets in the process.
Needing 127 for victory, after dismissing the Kiwis for 126 in 32.2 overs, India reached 128 for two in 19.2 overs with Somesh Nair (39), Amit Paul (37) and Pankaj Dhudhoye (36) being the principal scorers.
New Zealand were earlier rocked by Anup Fulper (four for 22), Pawan Anand (two for 27) and Jigar Mehta (two for 31).
Two matches are slated for today, with Rest of the Caribbean (ROTC) playing Rest of the World (ROW) at Malteenoes and USA versus Skeldon at the Enmore Community Centre ground.