Brooklyn Cricket League
August 1st 2009, Reports

Diplomats Edge To The Playoff With An Easy Victory Over PAK XI
By Dyon Ravello

All-rounder Andre Kirton of Diplomats had a fantastic day in the park last weekend.

In the backdrop of the Marine Park annual fair, Diplomats continued that push for a playoff spot with a convincing seven wicket win over PAK XI at Marine Park B. PAK XI eleven won the toss and took first strike. The PAK XI innings began with the opening pair taking cheeky single pushing the ball just of the wicket, rotating the strike effectively. The cheeky pair were always susceptible to the run out dismissal but Diplomats failed to capitalize as D. Ravello failed to complete the dismissal with both openers stranded at the middle of the pitch. Hubert Lewis made the initial break through getting his man leg before wicket.

PAK XI got a consolidate partnership from Irtaaz and Asim Shait. Diplomats’ introduction of spin stemmed the run flow. Andre Kirton removed Irtaaz leg before for 21 and Asim caught at long on by Lewis off Kirton for 35. All the other PAK XI batsmen failed to make a impact. As Gavin Smith ran through the lower order as PAK XI were restricted to 128 all out after 35 overs. Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets, with Kirton picking up 3 scalps, Lake, Lewis and Simpson grab a wicket each.

Diplomats set out to an easy task, but lost two quick wickets. Oscar Prince caught at second slip off Aquel, and E. Thomas following soon after caught at the wicket of the same bowler. Kirton and Basdeo Ramnarain the game away from PAK XI with commanding stroke play smashing the bowlers to all part of the park. Kirton’s accelerated was too fast for PAK XI and his partner, Ramnarain, who played a brilliant supporting role. With the score tied Kirton held out to Shah on the cover boundary for a cavalier 70. Ramnarain secured the victory batting through the innings ending on 37 not out.

Kirton’s all round performances earning him the man of the match, Diplomats winning comfortably by 7 wickets. Diplomats have now won 8 and lost 4, for a winning percentile of 66.67, and pushing for the playoffs. This Saturday August 8th is Grenada at Seaview, followed by Wanderers on the 15th and Carriacou on the 22nd to complete the regular season.

Warriors Gets A Treat
On Aug 1st Beach 32 Street, match started late due to the change of the ground. The match turned out be an 25 over affair. Warriors won the toss and choose to bat, they were all out in 21st over for 97 runs. Shawaiz Islam 1 for 18, Zafer Iqbal 2 for 21, Juniad Mirza 2 wickets for 1 run, Tahir Ishah 2 for 13, Asim Parvaze Butt 2 for 14 and Waqas 1 for 17.

Opner Naveed Islam played an entertaining innings of 47 with 6 fours and 3 huge six. Asim Muneer made 37, that included 2 sixes and 5 fours not out. Travel Treat chase the target in 11 overs and won by 8 wickets. This is their 9th win of the season.