In a groundbreaking moment for continental sports, cricket made its historic debut at the Bolivarian Games in Peru, culminating in dramatic finals that saw both Trinidad and Tobago teams securing silver medals after hard-fought battles against Caribbean rivals.
The men’s team endured a heartbreaking 11-run defeat against Barbados in a tension-filled championship match at Lima Polo Club. Barbados set a competitive target of 138 runs, anchored by Shian Brathwaite’s pivotal 55-run innings and supported by Tennyson Roach’s aggressive 42 off 33 deliveries. Despite early breakthroughs from TT skipper Vikash Mohan and Mikkel Govia, Barbados built momentum through a damaging 65-run partnership.
TT’s chase began cautiously but soon stumbled to 47 for four within nine overs. A mid-innings resurgence emerged through Crystian Thurton’s promising 31 and Teshawn Castro’s explosive late cameo of 22 runs. The match reached its climax with TT requiring 50 runs from the final 4.4 overs. Castro’s two massive sixes and Damion Joachim’s boundary brought the equation down to 12 needed from two deliveries. However, Castro’s dismissal by Shaquille Cberbatch sealed Barbados’ victory, leaving TT with silver.
The women’s final witnessed Jamaica’s clinical six-wicket triumph chasing TT’s modest total of 94 for eight. Veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed provided the most resistance with a gritty 24 off 22 balls, but TT’s batting lineup failed to convert starts into substantial contributions. Jamaica’s bowling attack, led by Kate Wilmott’s impressive three for 14 and Chedean Nation’s two for 21, effectively contained the TT batters.
Defending their total, TT’s experienced bowling duo of Mohammed and Karishma Ramharack initially maintained pressure, but Jamaica’s Chadean Nation delivered a match-winning unbeaten 35 off 44 balls, guiding her team to victory with 18 overs completed. Nation’s composed innings earned Jamaica the historic gold in cricket’s Bolivarian Games debut.
This tournament marked cricket’s inaugural appearance in the 87-year history of the Bolivarian Games, signaling the sport’s growing prominence in multisport events. The success in Peru sets the stage for cricket’s upcoming debut at the 2027 Pan American Games and its highly anticipated return to the Olympic program at Los Angeles 2028, marking its first Olympic appearance since 1900.