A thrilling, low-scoring final of the Queensway Super50 Cup culminated in a dramatic tie on Saturday, forcing Demerara and Essequibo to share the coveted title and the winner’s purse.
In a tense contest at Hampton Court, both sides were bowled out for 150, a result that will be etched in the competition’s history.
The organisers declared the two teams joint champions, citing bad light as the reason a Super Over could not be executed.
The match was reduced to 45 overs per side after early morning rain delayed play by an hour from the scheduled 09:00h.
FULL SCORECARD: https://cricheroes.com/scorecard/19707511/queensway-security-service-national-super50-tournament-2025/demerara-vs-essequibo/scorecard
Chasing a modest target of 151 from 45 overs, Essequibo found themselves in deep trouble, collapsing to 89 for 8.
The innings was rescued by a resilient stand that defied the odds and the wilting light.
Seasoned campaigner Antony Adams anchored the revival with a gritty, unbeaten 30 off 95 balls, while young all-rounder Thaddeus Lovell showcased his immense potential, counter-attacking with a vital 42 off just 49 balls.
The pair dragged Essequibo within touching distance of victory.
With only two runs needed and 43 balls remaining, the pendulum swung back.
Lovell fell, and the tension ratcheted up further.
The final wicket pair had some anxious moments before Golcharran Chulai was dramatically run out, sparking delirious celebrations from the Demerara camp.
For Demerara, pacer Ronaldo Alimohamed led the attack with 4 for 45 off nine overs, well supported by left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (2 for 21).
After winning the toss, Demerara’s innings ended for 150 in 41.2 overs, largely thanks to a top score of 35 from opener Matthew Nandu.
The Essequibo bowlers shared the spoils, with Golcharran Chulai (2 for 14), Thaddeus Lovell (2 for 18), and Ronsford Beaton (2 for 30) all picking up a brace of wickets.
The joint championship led to a historic financial outcome. The two sides shared a combined prize of $1.2 million, after the owner of the Joe Jagomohan Ground added a substantial $600,000 to the original first and runners-up prizes.
Despite the heroics of Lovell (42 runs and two wickets), Ronaldo Alimohamed was surprisingly named Man-of-the-Match for his four-wicket haul, walking away with a $100,000 award.
The shared trophy marks a historic first for Essequibo in the GCB Super50 competition.
Nandu capped off a stellar tournament, earning the Most Valuable Player and Highest Run Scorer awards after accumulating 224 runs and picking up two wickets with his off-spin.
Demerara teammates Richie Looknauth and Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed shared the Most Wickets accolade, finishing with nine scalps.
With the Queensway Super50 Cup concluded, all eyes now turn to the senior selection panel, headed by Ramnaresh Sarwan.
The panel is set to announce the Guyana Harpy Eagles 14-man squad for the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, starting on November 19.
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