FORT LANDERDALE (FLORIDA): Rain played spoilsport which forced the organizers -- Cricket Council USA -- call off the $100,000 US Open Twenty20 Tournament featuring 27 teams and players drawn from different cricket playing countries at the Central Broward Regional Park here. Rain frustrated the organizers as well as the players. The organizers decided to equally distribute the prize money among all teams entered into the fray.
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Maq Qureshi and the committee decided that, in order to protect the integrity of CCUSA, the prize money "should be paid; and that's what we did. Cricket Council USA not only fulfilled its commitments, but went above and beyond to protect the integrity of the CCUSA brand."
As the tournament was called off due to persistent rain and inclement weather, the team captains/managers appreciated and respected the decision of the CCUSA Organizing Committee.
Addressing captains, managers and team owners, the organizers said "We understand your current frustration in waiting round for a decision and the weather to change for the better. We are equally frustrated as you are with the current situation. .... Again - thanks for cooperating and being so patient and accommodating."
Only 32 eight-group league matches could be played in two days and six matches were abandoned. Only few matches could be of 20-over affairs. The number of overs were reduced to six-over-each side.
Only Group F league fixtures were completed with Somerset Cavaliers emerging champions with six points by winning all their three matches. Classy Knights won two matches and lost one to finish runners-up with four points. California Kings got two points from one win and two defeats. Bullets Cricket Club were without any point losing all their three matches.
GN Euro emerged Group A champions with five points from two wins and one decision on Nett Run Rate, splitting two points with runners-up Charlotte Lions (three points).
In Group B, Indian Lions were leading with four points from two wins. Their last league match against bottom-placed CT Blizzards could not be played due to rain. AFT Gladiators played all their three match and earned four points from two wins and one loss. Arkansas Wolf Pack could garner only lone point.
Underdogs and US All Stars were tied with two points apiece after playing one match each which they won by beating third team Wild Carts in group C.
Pakistan First were leading Group D with four points from two wins from as many matches. Midwest CC Bears, who won two and lost one, also had four points. Pak Eagle Cricket Stars earned two points from one win and one loss. Buckeyes were beaten in all their group league matches.
The position in Group E was no different. US Tigers finished their league program with two wins and one loss (4 points). Chicago United also had four points to their credit but from two matches. US Flyers won one and lost two for 2 points while the fourth team NY King played two and lost both.
Smart Choice USA were leading Group C with four points from two wins. FutureTech Altanta Paramveers and Super Kings got two points each. New England Wailers lost both their matches.
Unfinished League position: Group A: GN Euro (5 pts), Charlotte Lions (3 pts< UCT UAE Cricket (2 pts), Kendall Stars (0 pts).
Group B: Indian Lions (4 pts), AFT Gladiators (4 pts), Arkansas Wolf Pack (1 pt), CT Blizzards (1 pt).
Group C: Underdogs (2 pts), US All Stars (2 pts), Wild Cats (0 pt).
Group D: Pakistsan First (4 pts), Midwest CC Bears (4 pts), Pak Eagle Cricket Stars (2 pts), Buckeyes (0 pt).
Group E: US Tigers (4 pts), Chicago United (4 pts), US Flyers (2 pts), NY Kings (0 pt).
Group F: Somerset Cavaliers (6 pts), Classy Knights (4 pts), California Kings (2), Bullets Cricket Club (0 pt).
Group G: Smasrt Choice USA (4 pts), FutureTech Atlanta Paramveers (2 pts), Super Kings (2 pts), New England Wailers (0 pts)
