Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has been conferred with the Sitara-i-Pakistan Award for Services to Pakistan during a ceremony held on Monday. The 38-year-old all-rounder was being recognized for his role in helping bring international cricket back to Pakistan. It is the third-highest civil award conferred by Pakistan.
The citation read in part: “At a time when most of the foreign players backed off from playing cricket in Pakistan for security reasons, it was Mr Daren Sammy, the captain of Peshawar Zalmi, who against all odds helped the cause of restoration of international cricket in Pakistan and highlighted its soft image. Mr Daren Sammy stood out this whole time and has been a true ambassador and flag bearer of Pakistan ever since.”
He expressed his appreciation and gratitude in a post on Instagram on Sunday.
“Cricket took me all over the world, enabling me to see and play in some amazing places. Pakistan is definitely one of these places. A place that always makes me feel at home. It is such an honour to have received this prestigious award from the Government and the people of Pakistan. Thank you,” said Sammy, who played for Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural Pakistan Super League in 2016 and now serves as the franchise’s head coach.
In the 2017 PSL draft, he was retained by Peshawar Zalmi. During the draft, Captain Shahid Afridi announced Sammy as the new captain of Peshawar Zalmi. With Sammy as it’s captain, the team won the second edition of the PSL.
Sammy, who led the West Indies to two T20 World titles (2012 and 2016), was receiving his second civil honour from Pakistan in as many years. In March 2020, he received the highest civilian medal of Pakistan, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for his part in helping bring international cricket back to Pakistan. He was also awarded honorary Pakistani citizenship by the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi.
John Campbell fell agonizingly short of a century while Veerasammy Permaul claimed three wickets as the Jamaica Scorpions and Guyana Harpy Eagles played to a high-scoring draw in the West Indies Championship at Diego Martin Sports Complex.
Batting a second time, in pursuit of the Harpy Eagles' massive 584, the Scorpions ended the day on 271 for 6. At the top of the order, Campbell staged a brave resistance, putting on 105 for the first wicket with Leroy Lugg. Lugg added 67 before being bowled by Permaul.
Campbell then formed partnerships with Jermaine Blackwood and Oraine Williams but neither lasted long, both falling victim to Gudkesh Motie. Campbell himself saw his innings brought to an end, just two runs shy of triple digits, by Permaul, who trapped him lbw off a length delivery.
Paul Palmer and Alwyn Williams put together a 5th wicket partnership of 41 with both sides agreeing to a draw soon after the pair were dismissed. Overall, Permaul ended with figures of 3 for 61, while Motie took 2 for 73.
A sensational six-wicket haul from spinner Rahkeem Cornwall helped secure a dominant 228 run win for Leeward Islands Hurricanes over Windward Islands Volcanoes in the West Indies Championship at Port of Spain.
Resuming the day at 127 for 3, the Windwards were eventually skittled out for 184. Having accounted for the wickets of Devon Smith and Alick Athanaze on the previous day, Cornwall returned to rip through the middle order. Ackeem August was the spinner’s first victim after he was bowled for 18. Keron Cottoy then added just 6 before becoming Cornwall’s next victim and when the spinner returned to account for the set Kavem Hodge, who was just 7 runs short of his half-century, the writing was on the wall for the Windwards. Overall, the spinner ended with innings figures of 6 for 45.
Earlier, Cornwall had taken a five-wicket haul, which was critical in restricting the Windwards to 173 in their first innings.
Scores
Windwards
173 (55.0) & 184 *(69.3) All out
Leewards
333 (95.5) & 252 – 8 (60.5) Declared
Spinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed a five-wicket haul to hand momentum to the Leeward Island Hurricanes in a tight battle with the Windward Volcanoes in the West Indies Championship at Port of Spain.
Resuming the day at
At the close of play, the Windwards were 127 for 3 and needed a further 286 runs for victory. Earlier, it was Cornwall’s haul of 5 for 61 that played a pivotal role in
Centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Vishaul Singh pushed Guyana Harpy Eagles comfortably past the sizeable first innings total of Jamaica Scorpions and into the lead in the West Indies Championship at Diego Martin Sports Complex.
Resuming the day just four runs short of triple digits Chanderpaul went on to hammer 184, from a marathon 423 deliveries, which largely provided the fuel for the Harpy Eagles’ 584 for 7 at the close of play. Chanderpaul has, however, also had plenty of help. In fact, in addition to Chanderpaul, the first five batsmen in the Guyana top order had at least a half century.
Tevin Imlach added 79 from 198, Leon Johnson 57 from 72, Chanderpaul Hemraj 78 from 87, and Singh who remains unbeaten on 100 from 85. Against the Harpy Eagles batting onslaught, Nicholson Gordon was the Jamaica Scorpions' most successful bowler after claiming figures of 4 for 122. At the close of play, Guyana held a lead of 191 runs with Singh and Gudakesh Motie, who was on 12 from 15, at the crease.
In-form batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul moved closer to a second triple-figure score of this season’s West Indies Championship after leading a spirited Guyana Harpy Eagles chase-down of Jamaica Scorpions' sizeable first innings total, on day 2 at the Diego Martin Sports Complex.
At the close of play, Chanderpaul remained unbeaten on 96 from 228 deliveries, with the Harpy Eagles at 213 for 1, still, 180 runs short of the Scorpions' first innings total. Chanderpaul Hemraj was the only wicket lost on the day, and he was caught by Aldane Thomas on 78 but not before sharing in a 112 first-wicket stand with Chanderpaul.
Earlier, Jermaine Blackwood only managed to add another four runs to his overnight total of 110 before being caught by Chanderpaul off the bowling of Keemo Paul. Aldane Thomas, who resumed the day with Blackwood, on 35, however, went on to do some damage of his own after getting to 100 off 101 balls. Thomas also featured in a productive 76-run 8th wicket partnership with Jamie Merchant who added a quickfire 39.
Veerasammy Permaul was the pick of the Guyana bowlers after taking 3 for 96, while Demetri Cameron, Kevin Sinclair, and Gudakesh Motie claimed two each. Tevin Imlach, who ended the day with 38, will resume with Chanderpaul on day 3.
A battling lower-order ton from Leeward Islands Hurricanes Colin Archibald and a four-wicket haul from Windward Island Hurricanes bowler Preston McSween typified the see-saw nature of the battle between the franchises in the West Indies Championship, at Port of Spain, on Wednesday.
Batting first, the Hurricanes seemed set for a below-par total after losing wickets at regular intervals at the top of the order. The top three of Montcin Hodge, Kieron Powell, and Ross Powell were removed with just 65 runs on the board. Devon Thomas was next to go just two overs later and was, like Powell before him, bowled by the excellent McSween.
Jahmar Hamilton paired with Terrance Ward to add a respectable 47 for the 6th wicket but the partnership came to an end when Hamilton was caught, attempting to pull Kenneth Dember. Rahkeem Cornwall managed to add just one run before becoming McSween’s 3rd wicket and the writing seemed on the wall when the bowler returned to pick up the valued wicket of Ward a few overs later.
Archibald’s brutal 104 from just 97 deliveries, at the bottom of the order, however, changed the complexion of the innings entirely. At the close of play, the batsman remained not-out at the crease and was partnered by Daniel Doram on 17 from 69 deliveries.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican led a strong bowling performance that gave the Barbados Pride the early advantage against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the West Indies Championship, at Tarouba, on Wednesday.
At the end of play, the Pride were 87 for 2, just 46 runs short of the Red Force first innings total of 133. Barbados’ success was due in large part to Warrican’s haul of 3 for 21. Batting first, the Red Force found themselves in early trouble after losing opener Keagan Simmons, for a duck, after just three deliveries.
It did not take long for his opening partner Jeremy Solozano to follow, leaving the Red Force struggling on 11 for 2. Jason Mohammed added just 12 before driving a half volley into the hands of Floyd Reifer off a delivery from Ramon Simmonds. The trend of losing wickets at regular intervals continued when Darren Bravo was bowled for 8 after attempting to flick away Justin Greaves.
Warrican claimed the first of his three wickets when he removed Terrence Hinds, who was stopped in his tracks on 25. Prior to that, Imran Khan (29) also got a start alongside Joshua Da Silva but was dismissed by Simmonds just as the pair had put together a useful 41-run partnership. Da Silva attempted to hold the innings together but continuously ran out of partners before he himself was trapped lbw by Warrican, on 23, with the Red Force limping along at 132 for 9.
Greaves, Simmonds, and Akeem Jordan also got in on the act for the Pride, each claiming two wickets. At the close of play, Raymon Reifer (32) and Jonathan Carter (19) were the not-out batsmen for Barbados Pride.
West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick believes West Indies will miss middle order batsman Shimron Hetmyer during their upcoming tour of the Netherlands and India but hopes the player will make himself available for future tours.
The West Indies will take on the Netherlands in three ODIs on May 31, June 2 and 4. The team will then travel to Pakistan for three more ODIs on June 8, 10 and 12.
Estwick was speaking at a media conference late last week when he addressed the Hetmyer situation. Hetmyer recently withdrew from Rajasthan Royals in the IPL to travel back to Guyana for the birth of his first child.
Mere days later, he returned to the Royals which will play the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday, May 24 in the first IPL qualifier. However, the explosive Guyanese batsman has not made himself unavailable for the West Indies tours.
Estwick said the West Indies will miss his talents.
"If someone like Hetmyer's not playing, you're obviously going to miss his talent. He's having an outstanding season for Rajasthan Royals. He's doing very, very well. He's playing well,” Estwick said.
“He will be missed, but at the end of the day, he's not there. He's asked not to be selected for this tour so we have to get on without him and we hope that he will make himself available for future tours."
Notwithstanding Hetmyer’s absence, Estwick said he expects the West Indies to win the three ODI series against the Netherlands.
"Our expectation is to win all three ODIs [in the Netherlands] but it's not going to be easy," Estwick said. "Remember, a lot of the players won't have played in conditions like the ones we'll encounter in the Netherlands.
"It's about how quickly we adjust to conditions. We've only got a couple of days' practice before we go into the first ODI so it's all about adjusting and getting used to the conditions and then executing plans as well as possible."
Leeward Islands Hurricanes spinner Rahkeem Cornwall produced a solid spell of his own to end the T&T Red Force resistance and secure a 187-run win in the West Indies Championship at the Diego Martin Complex.
The Red Force began the day behind the 8 ball, facing a deficit of 316 runs and with six wickets already lost. Yannic Cariah, who resume the day on 37, however, did his best to keep T&T in the contest eventually going on to score a gritty 100 from 180 balls.
His overnight partner Bryan Charles only managed to add 16 to his total before being Cornwall’s first victim, caught by Amir Jangoo.
Anderson Phillip’s stay at the crease lasted just five deliveries as he was dismissed for 4, undone lbw by Hayden Walsh Jr. Jayden Seales partnered with Cariah to put on 86 for the 9th wicket but Cornwall ended the partnership when he accounted for the valuable wicket of Cariah who was caught by Kieron Powell. The innings was brought to an end when Seales was dismissed on 33 by Sheeno Berridge. Overall Cornwall ended with second-innings figures of 4 for 50.
Spinner Verasammy Permaul grabbed a four-wicket haul as the Guyana Harpy Eagles enforced a follow-on after the Barbados Pride fell 244 runs short of their first innings total in the West Indies Championship match at Queen’s Park Oval.
At the close of play, Barbados Tridents were 44 without loss with openers Kraigg Brathwaite (17) and Sheyne Moseley (25) at the crease. Earlier, in the Pride’s first innings it was Permaul who got the breakthrough after removing Brathwaite for 17, before adding the dangerous Shai Hope and Roston Chase to his tally.
Hope had, however, staged a furious fightback after coming to the crease with his team in trouble at 49 for 3. Hope went on to make 119 from 2oo deliveries, before being caught by Leon Johnson, which ended the Pride’s resistance at 266 all-out. Prior to that Shane Dowrich added an enterprising 44 from 60 and shared in 64 runs partnership with Hope but became Permaul’s third wicket after also being caught by Johnson.
In Guyana’s first innings Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Gudakesh Motie each made a century as the team declared at 490 for 7.
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has signed for England T20 Vitality Blast club Surrey ahead of the season.
The 35-year-old big-hitter is expected to make a rare appearance in the competition having previously represented Somerset in 2011. Having recently competed in the India Premier League (IPL), the player will not be available for the start of the competition next Wednesday (25th) but will join up with the team for the second game on the 31st.
Pollard will be joining compatriot Sunil Narine at The Kia Oval in a competition that will also feature Dwayne Bravo (Worcestershire) and Kemar Roach.
Pollard, a five-time champion with IPL team Mumbai Indians, will be looking to rediscover his form after a disappointing IPL campaign.
“The Kia Oval is a special place to play, especially in front of a full house.
“This Surrey side is full of talent and should certainly be mounting a challenge for the title.
“I hope that my experience will add a vital ingredient to the club’s success this year.”
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Gudakesh Motie each crafted centuries as Guyana Harpy Eagles completed a dominant showing at the crease, against Barbados Pride, declaring at 490 for 7 on day 2 of the West Indies Championship.
At the close of play, Barbados had already lost two wickets in pursuit of the massive target with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (17) and Sharmarh Brooks (2) already back in the Pavilion.
Earlier, resuming the day at 219 for 4 Chanderpaul, who toiled to 64 on the previous day, pushed on to triple figures and remained unbeaten on 140 off a marathon 434 balls. Throughout the innings, the batsman was part of several fruitful partnerships. Tevin Imlac added 53 to feature in a 94-run partnership with Chanderpaul but Motie was even more devastating, adding a dispiriting 110 off 118 deliveries at the bottom of the innings. Motie was eventually caught by Sharmarh Brooks off the bowling of Keon Harding. Akeem Jordan was the pick of the Pride bowlers with 3 for 108, while Raymond Reifer took 2 for 37.
Brooks and Shai Hope will be the batsmen to resume the chase for Barbados at the start of the third day.
Pace bowlers Jeremiah Louis and Colin Archibald claimed a pair of four-fors to back up a sterling opening day effort from Kieron Powell as Leeward Island Hurricanes solidified their advantage over T&T Red Force on day two of the West Indies Championship.
At the close of play, the Hurricanes were 23 without loss, having earlier blown away the Red Force for 140, well short of their first innings total of 357. Resuming the day at 308 – 7, overnight batsman Jeremiah Lewis eventually went to a useful 42, but eventually ran out of partners at the crease.
In pursuit of the total, Red Force got off to a disastrous start. Top-order batsmen Tion Webster (0), Jeremy Solazano (0), and Jason Mohammed (0) all perished with scoring, while Darren Bravo added just 7 before being dismissed by Colin Archibald to leave the team in tatters at 10 for 4.
Joshua Da Silva briefly attempted to resuscitate the innings and top-scored with an industrious 65 from 115 balls and partnered with Bryan Charles (25) to push the score to 128 for 7 before Charles was caught by Rahkeem Cornwall off the bowling of Sheeno Berridge.
Da Silva’s brave resistance ended four overs later when he was caught by Carty off Archibald. Louis who accounted for four of the five top-order batsmen, ended with figures of 4 for 32, while Archibald finished with figures of 4 for 27.
Batting again for the Leewards Montcin Hodge (5) and Powell (15) were the not-out batsman at the end of day 2.
A devastating five-for from pace bowler Marquino Mindley put the Jamaica Scorpion in a strong position against the Windward Islands Volcanoes on day 1 of the West Indies Championship fixture at Tarouba.
At the close of play, the Scorpions were 118 for 4 and trailed the Windwards by 18 runs after bowling out the Volcanoes for 137. Keron Cottoy was the only Windwards batsman to show any resistance, after making a trying 50 from 108 balls.
After losing the typically reliable Devon Smith, with just 6 runs on the board, the Volcanoes lost wickets at regular intervals as Mindley ripped through the middle order, removing Kavem Hodge (23), Alick Athanaze (6), and Ackeem Auguste (3) to leave the team struggling at 54 for 5.
Cottoy’s brave resistance briefly staved off the inevitable, but he rapidly ran out of partners before being dismissed, caught, and bowled by Nicholson Gordon. Mindley ended with overall figures of 5 for 20, while Gordon claimed 4 for 43.
In response, John Campbell and Leroy Lugg put 71 on the board before that partnership was broken with Campbell being dismissed by Josh Thomas, just two runs short of a half-century. Lugg (36) was next to go after he was caught by Kimani Melius, off the bowling of Sherman Lewis, and the team suffered a mini-collapse after losing Nkrumah Bonner and Jermaine Blackwood in the space of a few balls. Marquino Mindley (1) and Brandon King are the not-out batsmen at the crease.
A solid century from left-handed opening batsman, Kieran Powell, anchored a solid opening day for the Leeward Island’s Hurricanes who posted 308 – 7 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the West Indies Championships.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Leewards suffered an early setback after losing Montcin Hodge in the second over of the match. Hodge was caught by Bryan Charles off the bowling of Jadon Seales. Powell, however, immediately set about repairing the damage after forming a 64-run partnership with Kacey Carty.
Carty’s dismissal left the Hurricanes at 66 for 2 but Powell feature in another pair of crucial partnerships. First with Devon Thomas, who made 12 before being bowled by Akeal Hosein, then Amir Jangoo with the two putting on a 100-run partnership to bring the score to 198 for 4 when Jangoo was sent back to the pavilion by Jason Mohammed soon after making his half-century. Powell’s brilliant resistance was brought to an end when he was trapped lbw by Yannic Cariah, having totalled 139 or 211 deliveries.
Terrance Ward added a patient 26 from 101 balls before being caught by Gabriel off Seales, while Cornwall could only add 5 to the tally before himself being dismissed by Gabriel.
Jeremiah Louis (16) and Hayden Walsh (8) ended the day as the not-out batsmen for the Hurricanes. Seales was the pick of the bowlers for T&T after ending with a best of 2 for 35.
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