In the 30th and final regular fixture of this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors faced a significant defeat, losing by 74 runs to the Trinbago Knight Riders at their home ground in Providence. Despite the setback, the Amazon Warriors finished at the top of the table and are set to compete against the Saint Lucia Kings in Qualifier 1 on October 2. Meanwhile, the Knight Riders will take on the Barbados Royals in the Eliminator match on October 1.
After winning the toss, the Knight Riders opted to bat first, but their innings began shakily when Warriors captain Imran Tahir bowled Shaqkere Parris with a perfectly executed googly, leaving the batter bewildered. However, this moment marked the last bit of celebration for the Warriors during a challenging match.
Nicholas Pooran delivered a remarkable performance, scoring a dazzling century and finishing with 101 runs off just 59 balls, which included nine fours and eight sixes. Jason Roy contributed an anchoring 34 runs off 26 balls, watching as Pooran unleashed a flurry of runs against the Warriors’ formidable bowling attack.
After Pooran was dismissed in the 16th over, caught behind by Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph, Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard (19 off 13) and Keacy Carty (27 off 13) helped propel the team past the 200-run mark, setting a daunting target of 211/5.
In response, the Warriors struggled to build momentum in their chase. Although Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shai Hope got off to promising starts, neither could convert it into a significant score. The Knight Riders’ bowlers, including Waqar Salamkeil and Terrance Hinds, shined in the middle overs, each claiming three wickets and contributing to the Warriors’ downfall.
When Moeen Ali was dismissed, leaving the Warriors at 88 for 8, it appeared they might suffer a defeat by over 100 runs. However, some late-order resistance from Gudakesh Motie and Captain Tahir brought the team to a final total of 137 all out.
Ultimately, it was a disappointing 74-run loss for the Warriors, who had previously dominated their last four matches. Conversely, this victory provided a significant confidence boost for the Knight Riders as they head into the next phase of the tournament.
Eliminator Match:
Trinbago Knight Riders vs. Barbados Royals
Date: October 1, 7 PM
