In a spectacular display of youthful talent, the Soca Strikers Under-19 team commenced their campaign in the TT Cricket Board’s Under-23 Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket triumph against the Scarlet Blazers at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 5.
The match witnessed two extraordinary individual performances that defined the contest. Opening batsman Saleem Khan delivered a masterclass with an unbeaten 107 runs from 109 deliveries, showcasing his batting prowess with 11 boundaries and three maximums. Meanwhile, West Indies under-19 representative Brendan Boodoo demonstrated bowling excellence with a devastating five-wicket haul that dismantled the opposition’s batting lineup.
The Scarlet Blazers, opting to bat first after winning the toss, struggled to establish momentum against the Strikers’ disciplined attack. Despite a resilient half-century from Sachin Emrit (50 not out) and contributions from R. Yearwood (39) and captain Rajeev Ramnath (20), the Blazers collapsed from a relatively comfortable 137-4 to a meager 190 all out in 41.2 overs. Boodoo’s leg-spin wizardry proved particularly destructive, claiming five wickets for just 21 runs across eight overs.
Chasing a modest target of 191, the Soca Strikers exhibited clinical efficiency. Though they lost an early wicket at 56 runs, Khan partnered with Aadi Ramsaran (61 not out) to forge an unbroken 140-run stand for the second wicket. Their dominant partnership guided the Strikers to victory at 196-1 with more than ten overs remaining, highlighting the team’s batting depth and composure under pressure.
The tournament continues with upcoming fixtures featuring Steelpan Titans and Cocrico Warriors at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, culminating in a final showdown at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 13.