With a spectacular five-wicket haul, captain Imran Tahir turned back time as the Guyana Amazon Warriors crushed the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by 83 runs in a rain-soaked game in North Sound, securing their second straight victory in the CPL 2025.
Due in major part to Tahir’s 5 for 21 spell, the Falcons, who were chasing a lofty goal of 212 for their third victory, were not permitted to settle at any time following a flying start. The Falcons lost both of their openers, Jewel Andrew and Rahkeem Cornwall, to Dwaine Pretorius despite racing to 58 runs in the first four overs.
Karima Gore’s 31 off 14 balls continued the momentum, but the run rate fell precipitously after he was removed by Romario Shepherd in the fifth over.
With a double-wicket maiden in his opening over, the eighth of the chase, Tahir, 46, made an instant impression and dismissed captain Imad Wasim and Shakib Al Hasan.
Falcons lost five wickets for only 39 runs as they fell from 77 for 3 to 116 for 8, a middle-order collapse brought on by his signature googlies and flighted deliveries. They ultimately gave up for 128 in 15.2 overs. In the CPL, these were also Tahir’s best numbers.
Before rain stopped play for almost an hour after 5.5 overs, Warriors had gotten off to a great start earlier in the evening.
At the top of the order, Shai Hope scored a commanding 82 in 54 balls. Hope sped up after the eleventh over, hitting 49 off the following 22 balls after managing just 33 off his first 32 balls.
Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 65 runs off only 26 balls, including five sixes and five fours, provided him with a lot of support. The two enjoyed a dominant 106-run stand off just 44 balls for the third wicket.
The Amazon Warriors’ innings continued to pick up steam even after Hope was dismissed, as Shepherd’s late burst of unbeaten 25 off only eight balls propelled the total to an overwhelming 211 for 3.
Warriors scored 145 runs in the final nine overs of the innings, including 41 in the final two, which was ultimately more than sufficient.
With two victories in two games, the outcome moved Amazon Warriors to second place on the table, behind the Falcons, who have won two of their last five games.
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