Leg-spinner Riyad Latif made his mark on the inaugural West Indies Breakout T20 League, bowling Guyana Rainforest Rangers to their first win on Sunday evening at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.
The 17-year-old snapped up 4-25 off four overs to spearhead Rainforest Rangers to a commanding 52-run win over Leeward Islands Thunder in Match 12.
Thunder were limited to 137-8 when the overs finished, in response to Rainforest Rangers’ 189-5.
Riyad Latiff of Guyana Rainforest Rangers (R) during match 12 of the West Indies Breakout T20 League between Guyana Rainforest Rangers and Leeward Islands Thunder at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on May 04, 2025 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Daniel Prentice/CWI)
Latif ran through Thunder’s middle-order, picking up the wickets of Jewel Andrew, Nathan Edward, Karima Gore and Elroy Francis in a match-winning spell that earned Rainforest Rangers valuable wrist spin bowling points.
Left-arm seamer Jediah Blades continued his wicket-taking form with 2-31, while there was one each for spin pair Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Sinclair.
Edward, more for his bowling, batted and three and topscored with 28 off 32 (4x4s), while Anderson Mahase 24 off 18 (2x6s) and Mikyle Louis 24 off 18 (4x4s) got starts.
Kevlon Anderson of Guyana Rainforest Rangers during match 12 of the West Indies Breakout T20 League between Guyana Rainforest Rangers and Leeward Islands Thunder at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on May 04, 2025 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Daniel Prentice/CWI)
Rainforest Rangers, sent in to bat first, posted their highest total of the tournament with Kevlon Anderson hitting his second fifty of the competition.
The 24-year-old right-hander struck three fours and a six in 52 off 45, and along with a brisk 39 off 24 (1×4, 3x6s) from Kevin Sinclair the foundation was laid for the death over onslaught.
Ronaldo Alimohamed of Guyana Rainforest Rangers during match 12 of the West Indies Breakout T20 League between Guyana Rainforest Rangers and Leeward Islands Thunder at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on May 04, 2025 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Daniel Prentice/CWI)
Ronaldo Alimohamed took on the responsibility of going big at the backend, slamming three sixes and three fours in an impactful 40 off 20, while Quentin Sampson offered support with an unbeaten 17 off 10 (2x4s, 1×6).
Opener Rivaldo Clarke cashed in on the opening Powerplay with 23 off 13 (3x4s, 1×6).
Bowling for Thunder, Michael Palmer took 2-19 and Francis 2-40.
The victory lifted Rainforest Rangers from bottom of the table to fourth. They next play Barbados Pelicans on Tuesday from 14:00h.
After losing their first three matches, Rainforest Rangers will need a win in their final group game to secure a top three finish and make the playoff stage.
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