GUYANA — The global spotlight on cricket is focused on Guyana serving as hosts of the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup Championship 2026. It brings together 15 international teams, showcasing 59 high-stakes matches.
The competition began on October 17 and will conclude on October 31. The format is 45-overs. The teams include West Indies, Australia, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Scotland, Wales, Namibia, Colombia, Rest of the World, and Rest of the Caribbean. The teams fall under groups A and B.
The tournament filled cricket venues across the three counties –Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo — with a fierce competitive spirit that proves age is just a number. The National Stadium hosted most matches. There is no entrance fee to watch the cricketers in action.
The action, which officially bowled off on October 17 with a ceremonial opening delivery by Guyana’s Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs, is rapidly approaching its climax. The preliminary stages will conclude to set up the semi-finals, paving the way for the grand final at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence on October 31.
South Africa has set the benchmark for consistency in Group A, remaining heavily favored. Meanwhile, Group B has transformed into a masterclass by England and Pakistan.
England recently cemented its place in the tournament’s top four following a clinical six-wicket victory over the Rest of the Caribbean at the Enmore Community Centre ground. The English victory was engineered by a mesmerizing bowling masterclass from Taqi Abass, who tore through the Caribbean lineup to finish with astonishing figures of 7 for 25 in 7.5 overs.
The tournament has featured exceptional individual batting displays. At the Anna Regina National Stadium in Essequibo, the West Indies Over-40s team bounced back from early tournament stumbles against Australia and South Africa with a massive 181-run victory over Wales.
The Windies’ assault was led by Trinidadian right-hander Jason Mohammed, who bludgeoned a blistering, unbeaten 151 off just 68 balls, hammering 10 fours and 12 towering sixes. Stand-in skipper Lawrence Farnum anchor-dropped a composed 119 runs to help the host region post a mountainous 372 for 2 before veteran leg-spinners Imran Khan (3 for 51) and Devendra Bishoo (2 for 40) choked the Welsh chase.
Not to be outdone, other global master classes have emerged:
• Royston Crandon (Canada): Smashed a phenomenal unbeaten 115 off 99 balls and snapped up two wickets to lead Canada to an upset victory over heavyweights Australia.
• Prasanna Ramaswamy (USA): Delivered a flawless all-around performance at the Georgetown Cricket Club, taking 2 for 26 with the ball before hammering an unbeaten 101 to guide the United States to a 10-wicket victory over the Rest of the World.
The Masters Over 40 World Cup has been a resounding success for local sports tourism. Enthusiastic crowds have flooded historic grounds—from Everest and Bourda to the Albion Sports Club — with free admission allowing local fans to rub shoulders with international legends.
With only a handful of matches remaining before the semi-finals, the intensity is reaching a fever pitch. Fans can follow ball-by-ball updates and live brackets via the official IMC O40s World Cup Match Centre as the world prepares to crown the definitive masters of global cricket this Saturday.
The semi-finals are on Friday October 30 among the top four teams. Four teams are tied at 8 points each with at least one more match to play. Two teams are at 6 points with two matches still to play. So any of the six teams could be in the semi-final and final.
This is the third edition. Guyanese sports enthusiast Dave Narine is one of the key figures behind the organizing and planning of the tournament. He sponsored several cricket tournaments in USA and Guyana and is known to assist the less privileged with hampers all over Guyana. He said the tournament gives the public an opportunity to watch their favorites players of yesteryear back in action, albeit older. He acknowledged the support from sponsors.
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