Guyana Wins 2008 Ed Ahmad Twenty20 Cricket Cup Championship

Oct. 2nd, 2008
Defending champions Guyana clinched the 2008 Ed Ahmad Twenty20 Cricket championship by defeating Jamaica by 11 runs last Sunday at the Floyd Bennett Cricket Field. The game was scheduled for a 12 Noon start, but was delayed due to rain. It finally started at 3pm with both teams agreeing to a 15-overs match. The crowd in attendance watched what ended up being an exciting and explosive game. Credit must be given to the Ed Ahmad Cup Committee, headed by Krish Prasad and the Floyd Bennett groundsmen for drying and preparing the pitch for this final game. | (Gallery)

Victorious Guyana team with officials.

Guyana won the toss, and Captain Steve Massiah, after consulting with his players decided to bat first. Guyana made 121 for 8 in their 15 overs, with Sudesh Dhaniram top-scoring with 34 runs, Neil McGarrell, 19, and Steve Massiah, 14. Bowling for Jamaica, J. Allen 2 for 10, H. Gale 3 for 26 and J. Thomas 2 for 9.

Jamaica in reply made 110 for 7 wickets in their 15 overs. Jamaica's run-rate was well on target within the first five overs, causing anxiety among the Guyanese supporters. However, some brilliant wicket-keeping by former Guyana national wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo made a significant impact on the collapse of the Jamaicans. Bowling for Guyana, Neil McGarrell 2 for 8, and Kevin Darlington 2 for 16, restricted the Jamaicans from achieving their target. In addition, spectacular bowling spells from Zaheer Saffie, Kumar Nandalall, Sudesh Dhaniram and Bhim George, kept the Jamaican run-rate below target and the pressure on. Dennis Evans, 35, and Glen Hall, 28, were the only two Jamaican batsmen to offer some resistance against the Guyanese bowling attack.

The Ed Ahmad Cricket Cup is the premier cricket tournament being played at a first-class level in the USA. Ed Ahmad, CEO of The Ahmad Group of Companies must be applauded for his sterling contribution towards cricket in the USA. The players and supporters are certainly appreciative of The Ahmad Group of companies’ sponsorship of the annual cricket tournament, along with executive members of the Ed Ahmad Cup committee, for a job well done, for yet another year of first-class cricket.

The executive committee of the Guyana Team must also be congratulated for their teamwork and dedication, in support of the cricketers under the Guyana banner. Their active involvement at all levels helped the Guyana team to become one of the most successful teams ever, winning an unprecedented three consecutive titles in the Twenty20 championships (2006, 2007 and 2008).

Chairman of the Guyana Cricket, Inc., Jack Bharat, at the helm since 2006, has surrounded himself with competent individuals such as Vice-Chairman Al Akbar, Esq., Events Manager Shook Shivmangal, Treasurer Kris Raghubeer, CPA, Secretary Ralph Tamesh, Asst Secty/Treas Quyaam Farrouq, Coach Victor Benjamin and Manager Gary Nascimento. These individuals are the life line of the organization and should serve as role models for all other participating countries to follow. Their fundraising ability, transparency, and accountability, are no doubt the benchmarks that guide their success.

The Guyanese business community must also be acknowledged for their financial contributions which have helped the organization achieve the high level of success, during the past three years.

The Guyana Cricket, Inc executive committee wishes to express special thanks to its Guyanese financial partners: Rockaway Roti Shop, Insaf “Birdman” Ali, Al Akbar, Esq., Brian at Century21, Shri's Draperies, Complete Document Source, Anand Mahabir, Empire Land Services, Dave’s West Indian Products, Jack Bharat, Roy Haniff, Quyaam Farrouq, Gold Palace Guyana, Kris Raghubeer, CPA, Frank Singh, Stanley Raj, Shook Shivmangal, New Apple Funding, Kawall Totaram, Esq., Five Boro Comm., Ralph Tamesh, Bhola Travel Services, Manbahal Custom Homes, Naresa Palace, Saffee Ahmad of Cell King, Sybil's Restaurant, Laparkan Shipping, Marcus, Hibiscus Restaurant, The Ahmad Group of Companies, Kaieteur Restaurant, Big Market, Ramesh and Fire Response.

Special thanks to the West Indian Newspaper, Caribbean New Yorker, Cricket International and newyorkcricket.com, for their coverage of the matches.

Congratulations to the Guyana team, on a historical and well-deserved victory.