Two 101* s, Two 99s, Two Great Games, USA vs Canada V !

USA Captain Andy Sudan (Everest), Canada Captain Hassan Mirza (Ryerson) with Lloyd.

The 5th American College Cricket USA vs Canada Series was eagerly anticipated, and the weekend came with a bit of cold weather after 90 degree temperatures in Toronto. Tough going especially for the night game, but nothing could deter the players as they competed to see which team would take the lead in the twice yearly Series. Started by Lloyd Jodah to commemorate the 1844 cricket game between Canada & USA that effectively began International Sports, as Jodah said “It was the 1st time young men from different countries battled on a Playing field, instead of a Battle Field.” This Series, being played shortly after the death of Northern Illinois player Sai Kumar Adluru by an alleged Drunk Driver, was dedicated to the young man.

GAME 1 -The American team was a mix of youth & experience led by Andy Sudan (Everest). He won the toss and decided to bat. Shivam Joshi (Ryerson), former Canada Under 19, bowled 2 excellent outswingers, just short of length & rising, and getting both very tall 19 year olds, Garanshu Sharma (Georgia Tech) & Brahmam Chunduri (Washington) caught by the wicket keeper. USA was in trouble at 8 for 2 ! But Meetul Patel (Everest) was joined by Krithik Udayshankar (Florida Tech) and they took the score to 47 off 5.2 overs before Meetul Patel (Everest) was out for 23.

What followed was a masterpiece of an innings ! With the next highest score of 15 by Kishan Das (Arkansas State, & another 19 year old) who looked very good, Krithik constructed a chance less innings of defence and attacking shots around the wicket. His pull shots seemed destined for the boundary as he smashed 13 fours & 3 sixes ! Needing 20 in the final 2 overs it seemed as if a century might elude him, but then it was 97 and 1 ball to go ! With assurance Krithik flicked one in the gap backward of square and finished on 101* off 55 balls with a SR of 185.64 as USA reached an improbable 190 for 9 !

Shivam Joshi, playing his 2nd All star Series, was the key bowler taking 2 for 27 but Hassan Mirza (Ryerson) took 2 for 7 and Qazi 2 for 40.

An early wicket by Pankil Patel (Everest) getting the dangerous Shahroze Shah (Ryerson) for 5, followed by Garanshu Sharma taking the prize wicket of Hassan Mirza for 37 (21 balls, 7 fours & 1 six) had USA feeling very good, even with Canada 75 for 3 in 7.4 overs ! But a magnificent innings by Sunny Chohan (Sheridan) who started with 4,4,6 and later struck 3 sixes in a row took Canada to the winning total of 193 for 4 in 17.3 overs, helped by 8 dropped catches. Chohan had only 8 dot balls in his 44 ball innings of 7 fours & 7 sixes, with a few drops,missing his century when he struck the winning run !

https://www.crichq.com/matches/519258/1st_innings

Game 2 : was played very late,after 9 pm, starting after a Presentation so the cold was even more of a factor and the dew & a bit of rain slowed up the outfield. Canada won the toss, and opted to bat. The start was ominous for USA as Hassan Mirza and Shahroze Shah stroked the ball as expected from these 2 stars, though USA dropped many catches. At 169 off 16 over Shah retired hurt for 50 (38 balls, 5 fours & 2 sixes). Mirza was then caught off Parth for 99, made off 61 balls with 12 fours & 4 sixes. Last year Mirza scored 130 for Canada ion this same field. Canada’s 197 for 3 was a bit lower than expected after such a great start, but it was still a good total to defend ! Parth Parekh (Ryerson) took 3 for 14 in a brief devastating spell.

USA Captain Sudan showed confidence in his players by not moving up inform Krithik to open, and Meetul & Kishan Das (Arkansas State) rewarded him with a 51 run opening stand in 6.3 overs before Kishan fell for 14. In came Rayyan Pathan (George Brown) who exploded with 2 fours and 4 sixes, including 3 off consecutive deliveries, for 36 at a 225 SR ! That 2nd wicket partnership of 68 took USA to 118 in 11.5 overs, the SR they needed to be at, with Meetul going well. The inform Krithik came in & struck 4 fours to keep the scoring rate up as he made 27 in 13 balls.Meetul was batting confidently & gracefully and stroking the ball well in another masterful innings. Coincidentally, in the final over Meetul was on 97, with 2 runs needed for victory, he struck a 4 and finished on 101* as USA earned a victory in 19.2 overs at about 12.30 am ! A superb 2nd game played by both sides !

https://www.crichq.com/matches/519406/1st_innings

Rain washed out Game 3 leaving the American College Cricket USA vs Canada Series V tied 1-1 ! Canadian College Cricket marked it’s 2nd anniversary by hosting well, having accomplished a lot in it’s 2 years and it’s President Hassan Mirza praised the mentorship of Lloyd, American College Cricket President. Lloyd’s brief speech included a reminder to the players of the importance of Facebook for the game, and thanks to the players who made it to Canada despite the difficulties of visas etc.

Some cricket notables who have done tremendous work for cricket were on hand : USA Global Cricket Academy’s Rahul Sharma drove up with his son Garanshu, who got a chance to play again with Brahman & Kishan with whom he had toured abroad on one of the Tours arranged by USAGCA. Cricket Ontario’s Praimp Persaud, who has been doing amazing work in Ontario and is now a Director for Cricket Canada. Of course once more Mike Henry did Umpire duties and more. Farhan Khan, former Ryerson player & since TDCA Vice President & Director of CCCL. Shah Zafar, CCC Advisory Board member & VP, Cricket Ontario.Dr Rahat Mirza, an important behind the scenes supporter of Canadian College Cricket & his brother Hassan. Sabrina of Promax Fitness did the interviews. Ryerson’s Obaid Ullah Babar once more was the main organizer of the Event.

The comradery of the player of both sides, even as they played with utmost competitiveness, was typical of American College Cricket. The leadership by Andy Sudan & Hassan Mirza was exemplary !