It is rare for a team from Newfoundland and Labrador to beat Quebec at provincial level in any sport, so today’s victory by the provincial team is one to be celebrated. It is hard to get hard statistics of the number of cricketers in Quebec, but the Montreal leagues feature over 30 teams in two divisions- it is likely that Quebec cricketers number in the thousands, while Newfoundland’s team was picked from 60 players active in the Summer League.

Quebec won the toss and chose to bat in a game reduced to 18 overs. Rahul broke a promising opening partnership, then Rakesh took two wickets, bowled and stumped. Rahul dismissed the dangerous Umar Muhammad, but not before he had made 55. A run out and a catch by Asim from Rahul’s last over had Quebec at 125/6 with 3 overs to go. Rahul finished with 3/30 as Quebec totalled 137/7.

Hummam Bin Saif and Rakesh Negi were both dismissed in the second over, but Rahul Vashisht and Umair Khan (27) put together a good partnership of 62, with some big hitting mixed with defence. After Umair was caught Gurman Khurana joined Rahul, and took the score to 104 before Rahul was caught- he had made exactly 50 from 43 balls with 5 sixes. This left 34 to win from 22 balls but Gurman (37*) and Barath Shetty fought off nerves to register a 6 wicket win- Gurman sealing victory with a six in the 17th over. Gurman’s innings under intense pressure was outstanding. After Quebec went on to beat Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick failed to match Newfoundland’s net run rate, the team placed third.

Scorecard