By Frederick Halley
TORONTO Blizzards are aiming to capture their
second Legends title in the South Florida Softball
Cricket League (SFSCL) three-day tournament,
set for March 31, April 1 and 2 in Fort Lauderdale.
Having made their debut at the same competition in
2013, under Ontario Masters Softball International
banner and competing in most of the international
tournaments ever since, the Canadian-based team
had to endure a six-year wait to register a win in
a final.
In an epic showdown with New York Hustlers,
played at Canarsie Park, New York, in 2019,
Toronto Blizzards triumphed by seven runs, much
to the delight of their players and a sprinkling of
supporters.
The victory also marked the second consecutive
year that a Canadian-based side had emerged
victorious in the New York Softball Cricket
League (NYSCL) Independence Cup after the
Royal Canadian Masters had created history the
previous year by becoming the first team out of
Canada to cart off a championship.
Playing unbeaten in the three-day tournament,
Toronto Blizzards were indebted to a marvellous
118-run second-wicket partnership between
former Canadian ICC World Cup player Desmond
Chumney (80) and former Guyana batsman Jaimini
Singh (36), reaching 162 for eight in their 20 overs.
New York Hustlers were dismissed for 155 in 19.5
overs.
Sponsored primarily by businessman Naseer
Baksh, who hails from Leguan, Essequibo, Baksh
has since taken ownership of the team and
renamed it the Toronto Blizzards.
To his credit, the Blizzards have participated in
several international tournaments including five
trips to Guyana.
According to manager Azeem Khan, the former Ontario Masters
Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) president, his charges are raring to
go despite not playing competitively since last October when the 2021
local season ended and which also saw them retaining championship
honours in a one-sided final versus Cosmos Sports Club.
Toronto Blizzards also had the unique distinction of piling up an
imposing 326 without loss in their allotted 20 overs versus Kitty/
Campbellville in a league game last year, considered an unprecedented
feat with openers Sunil Dhaniram (200 not out) and Rajendra “Jesh”
Parasnauth undefeated on 109.
Led by former Guyana player Shivnauth Seeram, the bother of recently
appointed chairman of the Guyana senior selection panel, the team
also includes another former Guyana all-rounder in Dhaniram who
also turned out for Regal Legends in last year’s Prime Minister’s Cup
tournament, played in Guyana in November.
Seeram, who hails from Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, is
credited with having the most wins in the Ontario Masters Softball
Cricket League both in the Masters and Legends Divisions.
Meanwhile, two other teams – Canada Softball Cricket Club and
Canadian Legends are also slated to participate in the Open and
Masters category respectively.
Toronto Blizzards squad: Shivnauth Seeram (captain), Jaimini Singh,
Sunil Dhaniram, Desmond Chumney, Mohan Harihar, Rabindra
Parasnauth, Fazil Shakoor, Orin O’Neil, Michael Kisten, Shazam
Baksh, Lal Singh, Hazari Girdhari, Fazal Shakoor and Thalchand Singh.