TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Barbados-born left-hander Nicholas Kirton stroked an enterprising half-century. Still, it came in a losing cause as Toronto Nationals slipped to an agonizing two-run loss to Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada here Tuesday.
With Nationals in pursuit of 169 at CAA Centre, Kirton top-scored with 74 off 54 deliveries to power the chase before it faltered towards the end. The 18 runs required from the final over proved out of their reach.
The 26-year-old Kirton, who now plays for Canada and featured in the recent Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States, struck seven fours and four sixes before Pershing towards the end of the penultimate over with 18 required for victory.
His knock proved pivotal, especially after Nationals slumped to 38 for three at the end of the sixth over. He inspired a 66-run fourth-wicket stand with West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase (17) and a 44-run sixth-wicket partnership with another West Indies all-rounder, Romario Shepherd, who struck a 12-ball unbeaten 24 with a four and two sixes.
Shepherd had taken two for 40 from four overs of fast-medium as Bangla Tigers rallied to 168 for seven off their 20 overs after being asked to bat first.
Muhammad Waseem (27) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (24) posted 47 for the opening stand before captain Shakib Al Hasan (24) and Pargat Singh (18) propped up the innings in a 32-run fifth wicket stand following a collapse.
Namibia all-rounder David Wiese, well known for his exploits in the Caribbean Premier League, then provided the innings with a rousing finish with an explosive 17-ball 38 not out, which contained three fours and three sixes, in a 36-run, sixth wicket stand with Pargat.
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