Hard work pays off for youngsters says Khan

THE HARD WORK that the Trinidad and Tobago cricketers have put in over the past few months got its first reward yesterday when they scored an upset victory against favourites Barbados at Enmore in Guyana. In the opening match of the regional limited overs tournament, the young inexperienced side led by Daren Ganga outplayed their opponents for a memorable victory, their third in as many matches at the venue.

Yesterday an elated Omar Khan, in a telephone interview from the Grand Coastal Inn, the team hotel, said it was an ideal start to the tournament and showed the true character of the players. “We were the underdogs and everyone wrote us off. But the rookies played like veterans and it’s a proud moment for all of us. It’s been a long time we have beaten Barbados in a one-day match,” said Khan. He said although Sherwin Ganga, younger brother of captain Daren collected the “Man of the Match” award for his outstanding performance —  three wickets for 28 runs in ten overs and a  blazing 52 opening the Trinidad and Tobago innings — the win was a team effort. “The players all pulled together in the field, the bowlers did exceptionally well to restrict Barbados to 209 and then the batsmen went about their task in a way that defied their lack of experience,” said Khan.
Equally important was Imran Jan who took four wickets for 46 runs and a well played 49.

He said another significant contributor to their workmanlike victory against the feared Barbados team was the mental attitude of the Trinidad and Tobago players. “I have spent a lot of time helping the cricketers develop their mental attitude. Added to this we have an excellent team spirit, togetherness and comraderie where each player support one another,” said Khan yesterday. The team manager said that despite the rousing performance he warned the players last night at a team meeting that the victory was just one of five they have come to achieve in Guyana. Today he said it’s business as usual with a training session at the LBI Ground, not far from the team hotel. “I told them that we have to remain focussed, work hard on our strengths, identify our weaknesses and get it right. This is the only way to succeed,” Khan said. Next assignment is against defending champions and hosts Guyana on Tuesday at Albion. Khan admitted that it will be the biggest match for Trinidad and Tobago in the tournament and his team is hoping to ride the momentum of yesterday’s match and pull off another astounding victory.