GCB’s Inaugural National T20 League…

Watched by a small crowd, the Essequibo Anacondas beat the Essequibo Jaguars by 48 runs in the inaugural Guyana Cricket Board’s National T20 League powered by Bet CAGE Sports at Providence on Saturday night.

Opting to bat first on a good track and fast outfield, the Anacondas reached 159-5 in their 20 overs before restricting the Jaguars to 111-9 to take the Trophy and first prize of $1.7 Million.

It is said that when night falls, the stars come out to shine and on Saturday night under lights, 28-year-old Guyana and West Indies opener, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and 26-year-old National off-spinner Richie Looknauth shined brightly.

Chanderpaul struggled to score freely in the ongoing CG United Regional Super50 in Trinidad but on Saturday night the left-handed batter demonstrated his ability to bat pugnaciously.

Chanderpaul hammered an entertaining 43 from just 20 balls with four fours and two sixes to set a firm foundation for the Anacondas.

Looknauth, who played two Regional Super50 games last season, befuddled the Jaguars batters to finish with 4-21 from four frugal overs to take the Man-of-the-Match award.

In the first semi-final on Friday the Jaguars beat Berbice Piranhas by four wickets before the Anacondas registered an upset 49-run victory over the Demerara Pitbulls to set up Saturday night’s all Essequibo final.
Kevon Boodie contributed 24 off 30 balls, while Keemo Paul, coming in at number six, accelerated the innings with a quick-fire 38 off 24 balls.

Aggressive all-rounder Quentin Sampson also played an important role with an unbeaten 27 from 18 balls to ensure the Anacondas passed 150.

The Jaguars struggled against a well-balanced Anaconda bowling attack as Looknauth ripped through the middle order.

Captain and left-arm spinner Antony Adams, the tournament’s MVP, supported Looknauth with two wickets while National pacer Nial Smith and Garfield Phillips each claimed a wicket.

Zeynul Ramsammy was the only Jaguars batter to offer a fight, scoring 34 off 30 balls, but he got little support from the other batters as only Tomanni Caesar made 16 runs from eight balls towards the end in a losing cause.

The Government of Guyana supported the GCB’s National T20 League with the Prize Money and Trophies while Bet CAGE Sports provided US $ 100K for the running of the tournament.