An aggressive unbeaten 49 from Akeem Alvarez on Wednesday night guided Merry Boys into the finals of the UWI T20 cricket tournament, getting past Queen's Park by 12 runs at UWI SPEC, St Augustine.
Batting first, Merry Boys posted a solid 150/8, as Alvarez struck one four and five sixes in his 29-ball innings. Talented youngster Amir Jangoo, who was part of the national Under-17 team last year, contributed 42 off 36 balls. National opening batsman Lendl Simmons was also among the runs, scoring 32. Tion Webster was the most effective bowler for the Parkites, grabbing 3/29 in four overs.
Despite 39 off 20 balls from Petrock Nicholas, Queen's Park could only limp its way to 138/9 in 20 overs. Fast bowler Rayad Emrit seems to be back to his best, snatching 3/22 in four overs. Emrit recently returned to action after picking up a shoulder injury in the Karbonn Smart Champions League T20 tournament in India last October. Atiba Alert also took three wickets, but conceded 35 runs in his four overs.
Last night, after press time, Munroe Road and Clarke Road faced off in the second semifinal. The final will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at 6.30 pm.
Many of the players from the Merry Boys/Queen's Park encounter will be in action today for the national team in the final warm-up match for the NAGICO Super50 tournament. The South team will be led by Denesh Ramdin, while Emrit will captain the North outfit in the match, which begins at 2 pm at the Queen's Park Oval. The NAGICO Super50 tournament bowls off on Thursday at the Queen's Park Oval.
SCORES
Merry Boys 150/8 (Akeem Alvarez 49 no, Amir Jangoo 42, Lendl Simmons 32, Tion Webster 3/29, Kevon Cooper 2/22) vs Queen's Park 138/9 (20 overs) (Petrock Nicholas 39, Justin Guillen 25, Rayad Emrit 3/22, Atiba Alert 3/35) Merry Boys won by 12 runs.
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