West Indies, India win in Legends World Cup

By VINODE MAMCHAN

West Indies and India both recorded wins on the opening day of the Legends World Cup at the Central Broward Regional Park on Monday.

The Indians playing in the opening match got the better of arch rivals Pakistan, while the West Indies defeated host the United States in the second game under scorching heat at the sprawling venue.

In opening action India won the toss and sent Pakistan in to bat and it was a struggle from very early on. Skipper Ritesh Patel hit a good spot very early on and the left arm chinaman and googly bowler was difficult to handle. Pakistan could not build any momentum and their final score of 82/9 off 20 overs was always going to be sub-par. Only two batsmen got into doubles figures as Patel 1/17, Sanjay Pandya 2/14 and Lalta Persaud 2/14 proved too much on a slow track.

Opener Akbar Ali Rana was the topscorer for Pakistan getting 25, while late in the order Shezan Ahmed made 14 not out.

When India responded they lost two early wickets to seamer Almas Akram but responded well through the brilliant batting of Ketan Patel 41 not out. He faced 44 deliveries striking five fours and got good support from Rocky Singh who slapped 16 not out off 15 balls and Tilak Mitra 16 not out.

… Nagamootoo gives Windies win

Later in the day, it was the former West /indies Test cricketer Mahendra Nagamootoo who stole the show to give the West Indies victory after it looked like the United States was going to take victory. Chasing 28 runs from the final two overs, Nagamootoo struck Trinbago Knight Riders Manager Colin Borde for 26 runs in the penultimate over including three successive sixes to steal the win.

Earlier, the United States made 118/7 with good batting from Amir Khan, skipper Mahammad Qureshi and Anwar Ahmed and Sunny Singh. Qureshi held the innings together at the top after the fall of early wickets getting 14, while Khan peppered the bowling for 42 off 39 balls, including three sixes and a four. Singh made 18 and Anwar who played some attractive shots got 21. Nagamootoo took 2/32, while captain Zamin Amin took 2/18.

When West Indies batted they were not able to run away with the game at anytime. They however got a very good platform with an opening partnership of 54 runs in 10.2 overs from Krishna Harricharan 26 and Peter Singh 30.

Former Pakistan ‘A’ team player Nasir Charlie Javed then got into the act to put the United States in a good position. The former US player and vice-captain grabbed 3/16 n his four-over spell and Rizwan Mohammed ended with 0/17 off his four overs to put the brakes on the West Indies. However, with two overs to go, Nagamootoo opened his arms to smash the bowling and give the West Indies a six-wicket victory.