Tallawahs defy Malik, Rampaul to win again

Kingston (Jamaica), Aug 4 (IANS/CMC) Jamaica Tallawahs overcame a destructive spell from Ravi Rampaul followed by a thrilling, unbeaten half-century from Shoaib Malik to prevail over Barbados Tridents by 19 runs in the Caribbean Premier League Sunday.

Rampaul grabbed 4 for18 from his allotted four overs and fellow Trinidadian Rayad Emrit captured 3 for 35 from his four overs, as the Tallawahs, sent in to bat, posted 147 for eight from their 20 overs in the 20th game of the competition at Sabina Park, reports CMC.

Owais Shah hit the top score of 42 for the home team, their captain Chris Gayle supported with 39, Chadwick Walton made 25 and the other seven
batsmen returned with single digit scores.

Malik then struck five fours and six sixes in 81 not out from just 43 balls and was the only double-figure contributor, as the Tridents batting failed to click and they were restricted to 128 for six from their 20 overs.

Jerome Taylor was the pick of the Tallawahs bowlers, taking 2 for 11 from his four overs to earn the Man-of-the-Match award, and fellow Jamaican Dave Bernard Jr snared 2 for 20 from his four overs, as the Tallawahs dutifully responded to the challenge.

The result meant that Tallawahs earned two points, moving them level on points with Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, but second in the competition due to an inferior net run rate. The Tridents remain on eight points, the same number as the Guyana Amazon Warriors, but are still fourth, also due to an inferior net run rate.

Both teams - like the rest - travel to St. Kitts this week, where they will meet again in the final match of the preliminary competition Sunday at Warner Park, where Tridents meet Red Steel in their penultimate match Thursday.

Brief scores:

Jamaica Tallawahs: 147 for eight off 20 overs (Owais Shah 42, Chris Gayle 39, Chadwick Walton 25; Ravi Rampaul 4/18, Rayad Emrit 3/35) 

Barbados Tridents: 128 for six off 20 overs (Shoaib Malik 81 not out; Jerome Taylor 2/11, Dave Bernard Jr 2/20)

--IANS/CMC