Azurdeen Mohammed Leads EACA Youths To Two Finals

August 25th, 2008
After a disappointing 20/20 season, the Eastern American Cricket Association’s Under-19 skipper Azurdeen Mohammed and his troops bounced back and stood up to the task in the 45-overs New York Tri-state Under-19 competition. With a record of 4-2 and beating Tri-state Youth in the semi-finals, the EACA Under-19 team finished in second place and will face the undefeated Connecticut Youth XI who defeated Cosmos Kings in their semi-final clash. Ironically both teams will be facing each other in the New York region championship game and the New York Tri State Championship game, which will be held at Spring Creek Cricket Ground, Gateway Plaza Mall, Brooklyn on Sept 13 and 20, respectively.

Zaaid Majeed and Azurdeen Mohammed

In the semi-final match against Tri-state Youth at Baisley Pond Park, the EACA won the toss and batted first, putting an impressive 207 runs on the board for the loss of nine wickets. At the top, Azurdeen Mohammed started off his innings aggressively by posting three fours off the first over of the game. He was eventually caught when on 62 (7x4s) in the 20th over. Zaaid Majeed, another impressive EACA youngster scored an attacking 31 (4x4s). Majeed and Mohammed enjoyed a well-rounded 85-run partnership.

The two Under-19 players Majeed and Mohammed (aka M&M among the youngsters), often look forward to batting with each other, and on numerous occasions had enjoyed huge partnerships during the season. The EACA’s Vijay Bridgepaul scored an attacking 38 (2x6s, 3x4s) with some cloud bursting sixes and booming fours, Rundy Ramnarain chipped in with 25 (1x4, 3x6s), Thakur Singh, 24, and young Imdad Khan, contributed 15 (1x6). Tri-state XI fell short in their reply being bowled out for 161. The EACA had impressive bowling spells from Bridgepaul, four wickets, and Samuiel Gandhi, three wickets. With the victory, the EACA youngsters are now looking forward to playing in two championship games.

“I enjoy playing with my guys, When they come out to play they play hard and have fun in wins and even loses,” said Azurdeen. The EACA Youths with only Azurdeen Mohammed returning from the 2007 Under-19 squad, formed a new team and have not only built a team, but a brotherhood. “Our team has extremely good chemistry and we look forward to playing every weekend,” said Zaaid Majeed. Another EACA youngster Imdad Khan, added, “I’m very excited about playing in two championship games in my first year.”

EACA Youths: Azurdeen Mohammed (Capt.), Zaaid Majeed (Vice Capt.), Rundy Ramnarine, Thakur Singh, Imdad Khan, Asif Ali, Vijay Bridgepaul, Samuiel Gandhi, Neel Patel, Trevor Paddy, Brian Toolsie, Shiek Ahmad, Fiad Asgarally, Vick Singh and Zahid Ahmad.