NY Lagos Strikers Shine in Zim Afro T10 Tournament
The NY Lagos Strikers were fan favourites at the Zim Afro T10 Tournament held at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. Key players Rassie van der Dussen, Najibullah Zadran, and Avishka Fernando delivered impressive performances, competing against teams like Cape Town Samp Army, Harare Bolts, Durban Wolves, and Jo Burg Bangla Tigers.
Coach and Team Owner’s Praise
Head coach Chaminda Vaas expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s been a wonderful journey, and I appreciate the squad for showcasing their skills on the field. Throughout the season, we played good cricket. The players delivered in many games, but unfortunately, we couldn’t secure a spot in the qualifiers.” Team owner Sagar Khanna praised the players’ determination, stating, “Every match brings its own challenges, but the boys have shown remarkable resolve. Najibullah, Avishka, and Rassie’s performances are a testament to their skill and temperament, leading us to victories that filled us with pride. We aim to build on this momentum.”
Standout Performances
Najibullah Zadran scored an explosive 43 runs against the Durban Wolves, including 33 runs in a single over. Rassie van der Dussen delivered a masterclass against the Jo’burg Bangla Tigers, finishing unbeaten on 81 runs, while Avishka Fernando made a significant contribution with 66 runs against the Cape Town Samp Army. The bowling attack, led by Oshane Thomas, also played a crucial role in securing key breakthroughs.
Looking Ahead
CEO Shazmeen Kara noted, “Having such talented players excel in these formats opens up exciting international opportunities. We are eager to grow as a team and ready for our next challenge, which is the Abu Dhabi T10.” In the eliminator match, NYS Lagos batted first, managing only 88/8 in 10 overs, with Blessing Muzarabani (27) and Joshua Bishop (20) as the top scorers. The Cape Town Samp Army responded effectively, clinching an 8-wicket victory to advance to Qualifier 2.
Coach Chaminda Vaas emphasized the key learnings from the tournament, “We need to ensure our fielding is at 100%. From a bowling perspective, executing our plans according to the situation is essential.” Skipper Thisara Perera shared, “The Strikers family means the most to me. We built a great team and an even better family. We are proud of how we stuck together throughout the season, learning and playing good cricket.”
Looking ahead, the New York Strikers are set to participate in the upcoming edition of Abu Dhabi T10, with their sights firmly set on winning and making their fans proud once again.
Doubts Revealed
NY Lagos Strikers -: NY Lagos Strikers is a cricket team that played in the Zim Afro T10 Tournament. They have players from different countries and are named after New York (NY) and Lagos, two big cities.
Zim Afro T10 Tournament -: The Zim Afro T10 Tournament is a cricket competition held in Zimbabwe. ‘T10’ means each team plays 10 overs, which are sets of 6 balls each.
Harare -: Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe, a country in Africa. It’s where the Zim Afro T10 Tournament took place.
Rassie van der Dussen -: Rassie van der Dussen is a cricket player from South Africa. He is known for his excellent batting skills.
Najibullah Zadran -: Najibullah Zadran is a cricket player from Afghanistan. He is famous for his powerful hitting in cricket matches.
Avishka Fernando -: Avishka Fernando is a cricket player from Sri Lanka. He is known for his talent as a batsman.
Chaminda Vaas -: Chaminda Vaas is a former cricket player from Sri Lanka. He is now a coach and helps teams improve their game.
Sagar Khanna -: Sagar Khanna is the owner of the NY Lagos Strikers cricket team. He supports and manages the team.
Shazmeen Kara -: Shazmeen Kara is the CEO of the NY Lagos Strikers. A CEO is the chief executive officer, who makes important decisions for the team.
Abu Dhabi T10 tournament -: The Abu Dhabi T10 tournament is another cricket competition where teams play 10 overs each. It takes place in Abu Dhabi, a city in the United Arab Emirates.