By Ravendra Madholall
“It was a great experience playing in the inaugural Global T20 Canada and I’m happy to be on the winning side as well.”
The words of all-rounder Steven Jacobs after his team Vancouver Knights lifted the trophy on Sunday at the Maple Leaf ground, King City, Toronto, beating West Indies B in the final of the inaugural Global T20 League Canada.
The Guyana Jaguars player and former West Indies youth captain stated that Knights played excellent cricket from the commencement to the conclusion of the tournament.
“I think we just went out there and played our natural game; it was a wonderful tournament, especially playing with and against players from around the world,” the off-spinner related.
Vancouver Knights were successfully led by the self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle whose performances were also instrumental in seeing his side pocket the top prize of US$500,000.
Knights’ seven-wicket win in the final was led by Pakistan-born Canadian Saad Bin Zafar, who constructed a well-calculated, unbeaten 79, while South African Rassie van der Dussen was unbeaten on 44 at the other end when the momentous boundary was struck.
Jamaica speedster Sheldon Cottrell was impressive in the championship game, snaring four wickets including the initial breakthrough, but Zafar claimed the Man-of-the-Match award. He had earlier claimed two wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin.
“Obviously you want to win the tournament so we had to play hard from the first match because you have got a lot of quality players on show as well; the tournament was competitive, but I enjoyed it and I’m glad we were the victorious side in Canada,” Jacobs mentioned.
Jacobs bagged just two wickets in the tournament, conceding 101 runs from 10.3 overs.
The other four participating teams were Montreal Tigers, Toronto Nationals, Winnipeg Hawks and Edmonton Royals.
Guyanese wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble captained the runners-up team, while Sri Lanka ace pacer Lasith Malinger led Montreal Tigers and West Indian Darren Sammy skippered the Nationals combination.
Royals were led by Pakistani Shohail Tanvir, while Australian David Warner took charge of Winnipeg Hawks in the absence of officially named captain Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo.
Jacobs will now head to the Caribbean Premier League where he is set to represent Jamaica Tallawahs when the action starts on August 8.
