Strikers whip Blazers to reach final

A&A Strikers booked a place in the final of the A&A Auto Parts/Fushionz Boutique Champion of Champions Twenty20 Tape ball Tournament with a keenly contested 10-run victory over Blazers in the second qualifier at the Police Sports Club on Tuesday.

Wasim Wankad led the way yet again for the Strikers with an impressive half century to lead his team to a total of 183 in their 20 overs. Batting at number three, Wankad scored 53 of 35 balls with 5 five fours and three sixes, while former West Indies all rounder Dwayne Smith made 35 in 25 balls.

In reply, Nimar Bolden top-scored with 39,Neil Browne got 37 while Jazz Grifftih chipped in with 31 as Blazers came up short on 173 for seven from their 20 overs.

Strikers will now face-off with defending champions Belair Stars in Saturday’s final at 7pm.

Opening bowler Ian Boyce did the early damage, removing the first three Strikers batters as he finished with three for 48 from his four overs, before Wankad and Smith revived the innings.

With the Strikers at 141 for five in the 16th over, Abdullah “Superman” Hafeji finished the innings with some fireworks, scoring an unbeaten 27 off 12 balls with a single four and two sixes.

Set a target of 184 for a spot in the final, opener Shomari Gittens struck a four only to be removed the very next ball in the first over by Steffaun Griffith, to leave Blazers reeling on seven for one.

A second wicket partnership of 69 between the tournament’s leading run scorer, Jazz Griffith, and talented left-hander, Bolden, brought the game back into balance with Blazers reaching 76 in the seventh over.

Bolden was then caught at mid-wicket off the bowling of Kemar Harte after striking five sixes while Jazz Griffith followed soon after to push the total to 98 for three.

Browne fought valiantly before he was bowled by Steffaun Griffith during the 16th over, with Blazers on 145 for four.

Strikers’ bowlers then took full control of the game as Harte, Griffith and Zidane Harewood produced stingy efforts at the death to limit Blazers to 21 runs from  the final three overs.

Harte finished with excellent figures of two for 18 in his four overs while Griffith picked up two for 28.

(ZM)