Canada national team captain Nikhil Dutta has been slowly moving up the ranks among Associate member countries players ranks in the last couple of seasons. On the inaugural Matchday of GT20 Canada at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, he showcased his skills in a brilliant manner as being one of the most economical bowler on display in a match which resulted in total of over 450+ runs being scored by both the teams, Toronto Nationals and Vancouver Knights.
His figures of 2/26 from 4 overs was the difference maker in Vancouver not making more than 227/4 at the end of their 20 overs. When all the bowlers were hammered by Evin Lewis (96 off 55), Andre Russell (54 n.o off 20) and Rassie van der Dussen (25 off 19) and conceded more than 9 runs per over, Nikhil’s economy of 6.50 was the difference marker for his team.
His Canada teammate Nitish Kumar did not have the best of bowling experience as his only over bowled was taken out for 21 runs. Hong Kong captain Babar Hayat (8 n.o off 5) didn’t have much to do coming in at #6 in the final overs for Vancouver, but still managed to smash a six in his brief stay to remain unbeaten along with Russell.
Afghanistan’s 16-yr old Naveed Ahmad had a forgettable outing as he conceded 60 runs from his 4 overs for Toronto Nationals.
Hong Kong’s Nizakat Khan started with a big six but failed to carry on as he got dismissed in his 3rd delivery by Tim Southee. Canada’s Saad bin Zafar (1/25 off 2) picked up the wicket of the other opener, Johnson Charles, who was looking dangerous in his knock of 30 from 12 deliveries.
A 91 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket followed with Steve Smith making a successful comeback into mainstream cricket with a fine innings of 61 off 41 deliveries and in the company of New Zealand’s Anton Devcich, who remained unbeaten on 92 off only 44 deliveries, kept the chase well on par with the required asking rate.
Devcich found an able ally in Toronto’s captain Darren Sammy (22 n.o off 10), who stayed with him till the end to guide them to victory in the 20th over. Canada’s Jeremy Gordon too had a forgettable day with the ball as he conceded 25 runs off only 8 deliveries he got to bowl.
Action Continues on Day 2 with Montreal Tigers set to take on Winnipeg Hawks in the second game of the tournament.
