The Guyana Amazon Warriors, the reigning Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions, put on a swaggering display to take the lead in the standings after 10 games of this year’s competition with three wins in a row.
On what was for them a chastening night at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, their opponents, the Saint Lucia Kings, lost for the first time in the 2024 competition. The Warriors truly made their intent clear with a commanding six-wicket victory with ten overs remaining.
Imran Tahir chose to introduce the Kings after winning the toss. After being reduced to 43/4 by a PowerPlay, the Kings were unable to recover, and the defending champions produced another outstanding showing with the ball. Tahir claimed 3/29, and Player of the Match Gudakesh Motie took 3/13.
Matthew Forde’s subpar hitting was able to bring the Kings down to three players, but the Warriors quickly took care of the target.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made 47 runs off just 19 balls without hitting a four but with seven sixes that cleared the ropes, lit up the Saint Lucian sky with sixes.
Gurbaz was eventually removed by Noor Ahmad, who was trying to take him for a quick fifty with a reverse-sweep, and there were only nine runs left to win. Tim Robinson was also dismissed by Noor, but not before the Warrior opener, making his debut, set the chase up with 33 off 20 deliveries, including a beautifully timed lofted six that skidded down the pitch.
A fervent Alzarri Azam Khan was caught at short third by Joseph, who was ecstatic about the wicket. The next ball was sent high and long over mid-on by Shimron Hetmyer, who had the final say after Joseph had met him with a glare and another short delivery. Hetmyer then scampered the winning runs off the next over.
Also Read: CPL 2024: Moeen Ali joins the Guyana Amazon Warriors in, taking Saim Ayub’s spot
The Barbados Royals are the only team still undefeated in this year’s championship, therefore for the Kings, it was a day to forget but a day to remember for the Warriors.
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