Albert Gopie blasted 44 runs from 19-balls to set the Warriors on a victory course over the Chiefs in the TJT National Cricket League on Thursday (August 13). Gopie used his feet to fire consecutive boundaries and then loft a six over long-off at the start of the fourth over. But young spinner Riazkhan Pathan battled back with three dot balls to complete the over. Gopie hit three more sixes until dismissed with the total on 77.

Raffik Ali was then joined by Aiyub Matadar in a partnership that doubled the score to 154 before the third wicket fell as the twenty overs were coming to an end. Warriors closed on 158 for 6 wickets. Raffik Ali struck 53 and Aiyub Matadar 28. Riazkhan Pathan took 2 wickets for 33 from his four overs.

Canadian Under-19 internationals Chris Manohar and Usman Limbada made a promising start for the Chiefs, who were missing number one draft pick Hiral Patel due to his inclusion in the Canada squad to face Kenya on Friday. Limbada contributed 25 of an opening stand of 44, but the Chiefs began to lose wickets in the chase for 159 runs. However the rest of the batsmen, excluding Manohar who made 27, were unable to play innings of any substance, so the Chiefs allotted twenty overs closed with them on 118 for 9 wickets. Thus, the Warriors secured a win by 40 runs.

Gopie was named Man-of-the-Match. He thanked the league sponsors, TJT, the players participating in the league and the spectators who had turned out to watch the game. Canadian cricket could certainly do with more spectators. Especially spectators from those beyond the inner sanctum of the domestic league circuit in the Toronto area.

On Friday at Ross Lord Park, Toronto, the TJT NCL continues with the Kings, headed by Ugandan international Kenneth Kamyuka, entering the fray against Royals, while the Titans face the Gladiators. Matches begin at 5pm, and the need for prompt starts was being stressed on Thursday night.