Yusuf (131*) trumps Hatiramani (144*) as Eccles stun Diamond to seal zone title in Kares T10

In what many described as a final of the ages, Eccles All-Stars, led by some of the most destructive hitting from Quazim Yusuf, gunned down 180 to stun Diamond Gunners in the East Bank/West Demerara zone final in the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast.

On Sunday at the Eve Leary Sports Club, fans were left in awe as two renowned tapeball teams produced a classic heavyweight battle for a spot in the national finals.

At the halfway stage in the final, Diamond certainly had one foot on the accelerator to the stadium after former national youth player Sagar Hatiramani struck a whirlwind 144* from 45 balls, with two fours and an astonishing 20 sixes, many of which sailed out of the ground.

The dashing left-hander shared the bulk of the opening stand as Ricky Sargeant made 26* (3x6s) from 15 balls, which ended with an imposing 179-0 after 10 overs.

On the side of history, Sargeant was the first player to score a hundred in the tournament in 2023, and since then, they have been four more, with Hatiramani’s epic being the highest to date.

The other centurions are Ricardo Adams (2024), Qauzim Yusuf (2025) and Ganesh Puran (2025).

Eccles, the inaugural champions of the tournament in 2023, found championship success again as Yusuf produced an exhibition of clean hitting against anything in his path.

He only dealt with sixes, 20 of them in total, as this 131* from 38 balls backed by Akeim Vieira (29*) and Jonte Thomas (15) saw them reach 180-1 in just 8.4 overs.

Eccles won $300,000 as zone champions, Diamond got $100,000 as runners-up, and Hatiramani got $15,000 for setting a new record in the tournament’s history.

Ganesh Puran also got $15,000 as he previously held the record.

Eccles now joins the Montra Jaguars, whom they will face in the first semi-final of the national finals on August 3 at the National Stadium, Providence.

Both sides will await the East Coast/Georgetown Zone winner, who plays on July 19 and 20, followed by Essequibo on July 26-27.

In the zone semi-finals, Eccles defeated Trendsetters by nine wickets as they chased their target of 55 in 2.5 overs, while Diamond knocked out the formidable The Guard.

They, too, aced their chase and reached their target of 86 in 4.4 overs.

Both semi-finals were reduced to seven overs, while the earlier quarter-final between Trendsetters and Young Steppaz saw the former win the six-over affair by seven wickets.

At the national final, the team will have the opportunity to compete for an additional $1.7 million at the

The national finals will offer even greater rewards, with the runner-up taking home $700,000, a trophy, and medals, while the losing semi-finalists will each receive $300,000.

Individual brilliance will also be recognized throughout the tournament, with prizes including: MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from a wide range of sponsors, including Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.