GT20 Canada: Montreal Tigers maintain their slate clean, move to top of the table

In a spirited display of grit and determination, Montreal Tigers, after wonderstruck at seven for two, stormed back into the game to defeat Vancouver Knights by six wickets and 11 balls to spare at CAA complex on Tuesday. With this win, Montreal Tigers moved to the top of the table replacing the pre-tournament favourites, Brampton Wolves, who are sitting at number two with five points.

Interestingly, these two unbeaten teams will face each other in a clash of titans on Wednesday at 3.30 pm in what is being projected as a match of the tournament so far.

The Montreal Tigers won the toss and put their opponents to bat first. Vancouver Knights took up the challenge and batted well. It was Fakhar Zaman who refused to spare any loose ball as he slammed 73 of 53 balls. In his hard-hitting knock, he slammed three sixes and seven boundaries. He was ably assisted by Hendrik van Derdussan who put up a quick 26 of 23 balls with three hits to the fence.

Target, though looked achievable, however, had the Tigers in distress. As the Tigers took to the batting, they suffered quick reverses, losing two wickets in the first over to spinner Fabien Allen. He conceded seven runs in his first over, including four of a wide ball that went past the wicketkeeper as well.

Interestingly, the Knights gambled by using five different bowlers in the first five overs. The gamble paid off as they had three wickets in the first two overs. However, it was Dilpreet Singh and Sherfane Rutherford, who took control of the Tigers innings and steadily built up a partnership that virtually pulled the team out of the initial collapse. Dilpreet Singh, however, left as he ran himself out on his own call with his score reading 21.

It brought in Dapindra Airee who was then involved in an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership that carried the Tigers through with 11 balls to spare. Tigers achieved the target in style with Rutherford hitting a flurry of sixes in what looked as if he wanted to hit the first century of the tournament.

Fabien Allen was the most successful Knights bowler as he finished with two for 18.

With their third consecutive win from as many matches, Montreal Tigers reached the top of the table with a maximum of six points while Brampton Wolves with five points and Surrey Jaguars at the number three position with three points after they defeated Toronto Nationals by 20 runs for their first win of the tournament.

On Wednesday,  Toronto Nationals will take on Mississauga Panthers in the first game while Brampton Wolves will clash with Montreat Tigers in the second game at 3.30 pm.

Prabhjot Singh