In this article, we will discuss the Montreal Tigers of the Champions of Global T20 Canada 2023. The 2023 edition of Global T20 Canada marks the tournament’s return following a suspension in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted at the TD Cricket Arena in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, from July 20 to August 6, the tournament saw intense competition among six teams. In a thrilling final, the Montreal Tigers emerged victorious, defeating the Surrey Jaguars by 5 wickets to claim their first title.
Montreal Tigers: The Champions of Global T20 Canada 2023
Also Read: Global T20 Canada 2024: An Exciting Introduction to the Premier T20 Tournament
Background
The pandemic forced numerous cancellations of the Global T20 Canada event in 2020 and 2021. Originally scheduled to relocate to Malaysia in 2021, the tournament’s return to Canada was officially announced on May 16, 2023. This edition introduced two new teams, the Surrey Jaguars and Mississauga Panthers, replacing the Edmonton Royals and Winnipeg Hawks. The player draft took place on June 14, 2023, in Mumbai, with each team having a salary cap of $579,500. However, the availability of Pakistani players was affected due to their national commitments.
Teams and Squads
Six teams participated in the tournament, each comprising a mix of international stars, national players, and emerging Canadian talent:
- Brampton Wolves: Captain – Tim Southee, Coach – Shane Bond
- Mississauga Panthers: Captain – Shoaib Malik, Coach – Lance Klusener
- Montreal Tigers: Captain – Chris Lynn, Coach – Dav Whatmore
- Toronto Nationals: Captain – Hamza Tariq, Coach – Aaqib Javed
- Surrey Jaguars: Captain – Iftikhar Ahmed, Coach – Lalchand Rajput
- Vancouver Knights: Captain – Rassie van der Dussen, Coach – Donovan Miller
Tournament Format
The tournament followed a round-robin format in the league stage, where each team played seven matches. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs, consisting of Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final.
Points Table
- Surrey Jaguars: 10 points, NRR 1.669
- Vancouver Knights: 9 points, NRR 0.600
- Montreal Tigers: 9 points, NRR 0.312
- Brampton Wolves: 8 points, NRR 0.360
- Toronto Nationals: 5 points, NRR -0.116
- Mississauga Panthers: 1 point, NRR -2.756
Key Matches
- Qualifier 1: Surrey Jaguars defeated Vancouver Knights by 38 runs.
- Eliminator: Montreal Tigers won against Brampton Wolves by 9 wickets.
- Qualifier 2: Montreal Tigers edged out Vancouver Knights by 1 wicket to reach the final.
The Grand Finale of the Montreal Tigers Champions
The final on August 6, 2023, was a spectacle of cricketing excellence. Surrey Jaguars set a target of 130/5 in 20 overs. Jatinder Singh was the standout performer for the Jaguars with 56 not out off 57 balls. The Montreal Tigers, spearheaded by Sherfane Rutherford’s composed innings (38 not out off 29 balls), chased down the target and scored 135/5 in 20 overs. The Tigers’ captain, Chris Lynn, played a crucial role throughout the tournament, with significant contributions in both leadership and performance.
The Conclusion of Montreal Tigers Champions of Global T20 Canada 2023
Montreal Tigers’ victory in the 2023 Global T20 Canada is a testament to their resilience, strategic prowess, and exceptional teamwork. The tournament’s successful return has reinvigorated the spirit of T20 cricket in Canada, promising exciting future editions. The Montreal Tigers’ triumph will be remembered as a historic moment in the annals of Global T20 Canada.