An electrifying crowd at the National Stadium, Providence last night witnessed home team, Guyana Amazon Warriors secure a top-two finish in the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League after beating Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets.
The Warriors’ undefeated streak this season continued after winning the toss and inserting Tallawahs who posted 152 for five from their allotted 20 overs followed by reaching 155 for three with nine balls remaining.
Man of the Match, Saim Ayub chalked up his third half-century of the season, hitting five fours and just as many sixes on his way to a 53-ball 85. During his blitz, he shared a 112-run stand for the first wicket with debutant, Matthew Nandu.
Nandu showed he belonged at this level, carving four fantastic boundaries with excellent wrist work and timing as he reached 37 from 35 balls before being bowled by Chris Green.
Shai Hope sealed victory with 16 not out from 17 balls as Tallawahs were wayward, gifting 12 extras.
Earlier, Tallawahs lost Alex Hales in the fourth over after he was bowled by Romario Shepherd but a second-wicket stand of 50 between former Warriors player and Tallawahs skipper, Brandon King and Kirk McKenzie, revitalized the innings.
King’s familiarity with the surface at Providence proved vital towards his team’s innings and a deflect off of Imran Tahir on a drive allowed him to bring up his fourth half-century of the season to utter silence from the crowd.
However, when King was bowled by left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie attempting to slog sweep, the crowd went berserk.
Tallawahs then lost Imad Wasim and Shamarb Brooks in quick succession but an unbroken partnership of 41 between Raymon Reifer and Fabien Allen propelled Tallawahs past the 150-run mark. Allen ended on 21 not out from 14 balls, hitting two sixes during his cameo including one straight back over Dwaine Pretorius’ head and smashing the glass in the Media Centre.
Reifer motored to 20 not out from 14 balls with his innings featuring three boundaries. Pretorius ended with 2-33 while Shepherd, Motie and Tahir returned one wicket each.
Warriors battle St. Lucia Kings from 19.00 hours tomorrow at the same venue.