Gayle, Charles lead Atlanta to US Open title

West Indies players Johnson Charles and Chris 'Universe Boss' Gayle led their team Atlanta Param Veers to the 2020 US Open T20 Cup following a 10-run win over Team 22 Yards Sultans in the final at the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida yesterday.

Batting first, the Param Veers posted a formidable total of 186 for six in their 20 overs, with Charles leading the way with 70, which included one six and nine fours.

Gayle, who made 65 in the semi-finals, chipped in with 49 from 36 balls, which included three sixes and four fours. The pair put on 107 runs for the second wicket off 12.3 overs.

South African International Wayne Parnell smacked 27 not out off 12 balls with five fours, while Jamaica Scorpions player Garth Garvey was left unbeaten on 17 from six balls. West Indies T20 player Sherfane Rutherford was the pick of the bowlers for 22 Yards, bagging four for 24.

In reply, the 22 Yards team fell just short of the target reaching 172 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

It was a valiant effort on a slow track, with Guyanese opener Trevon Griffith leading the charge with 42 off 33 balls, with two sixes and two fours. The 22 Yards team had gotten off to a canter, posting 52 runs off the first five overs.

It took the Universe Boss Gayle to make the breakthrough, sending back Ahad Malek for 28, after which wickets fell regularly. Former West Indies all-rounder Chris Barnwell breathed life back into the 22 Yards innings with a breezy 35 off 20 balls, but he was run out in the last over, with 20 runs needed off five balls. National player Andre McCarthy chipped in with 22 in the losing cause. Parnell, who finished with the most wickets in the tournament, bagged two for 27.

For their efforts, Atlanta Param Veers walked away with a winning purse of US$50,000.

Jamaican winning captain Damion Ebanks thanked his team for delivering their first US Open title.

"I am very happy right now, and I must thank Johnson and Chris and the rest of the guys for well executed final," he said.