As the dust settles on a historic 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, Stabroek Sports’ has selected its team of the tournament based on performances.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors won their first title in their seventh attempt and that came through a collective effort. This is evident in the team of the tournament.
The race for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player was a four-way tussle between the Warriors quartet but it was the tournament’s leading run-getter, Shai Hope who outdid his teammates, Saim Ayub, Dwaine Pretorius and Imran Tahir.
Hope ended with 481 runs while Ayub finished second with 478. Pretorius picked up 20 wickets and was adjudged the best bowler of the competition. His 4/26 in the final allowed him to edge out Tahir who ended with 16 wickets. Tahir, who led the Warriors to victory will lead this side.
Nicholas Pooran of the Trinbago Knight Riders continued his good form with a century and two fifties while striking at 155. Jamaica Tallawahs’ skipper, Brandon King had a solid season with the bat, scoring 288 runs and striking at 145. He will be joined by Imad Wasim who was the most versatile player on show with 313 runs and 14 wickets. Barbados Royals’ Jason Holder picked up 16 wickets with some useful cameos at the end and thus made the XI.
Joining Tahir and Wasim in the spin department is Gudakesh Motie who took 15 wickets. Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd provided that added boost at the bottom as well as useful wicket taking options. Shepherd has been the most prolific bowler in the powerplay and both of them bring a lot of energy to the fielding department.
Following is the profile of the players
Saim Ayub
Inns: 13, Runs: 478, S/R: 142 100/50: 0/4, Catches: 6
Brandon King
Inns: 10, Runs: 288, S/R: 145, 100/50: 0/1
Shai Hope (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 13, Runs: 481, S/R: 140 100/50: ¼, catches: 4
Nicholas Pooran (Trinbago Knight Riders)
Inns: 10, runs: 291, S/R: 155, 100/50: 1/2
Keemo Paul (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 6, Runs: 175, S/R: 156, 100/50: 0/1, wks: 5, eco: 8.6, BBI: ½, catches: 6
Imad Wasim (Jamaica Tallawahs)
Inns: 10, Runs: 313, S/R: 129: 100/50: 0/2, wks, 14, eco: 7.1, BBI: 3/25
Romario Shepherd (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 8, Runs: 113, S/R: 235, wks: 15, eco: 8.3, BBI: 3/7, Catches: 4
Dwaine Pretorius (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 8, Runs: 76, S/R: 124, wks: 20, eco: 7.1, BBI: 4/26
Jason Holder (Barbados Royals)
Inns: 8, Runs: 106, S/R: 123, wks: 16, eco: 9.63, BBI: 4/38
Gudakesh Motie (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 12, wks: 15, eco: 7.3, BBI: 4/29
Imran Tahir, captain (Amazon Warriors)
Inns: 12, wks: 18, eco: 6.22, BBI 3/7
Mohammad Amir (Jamaica Tallawahs) (12th man)
Inns: 10, wks: 16, eco: 6.8, BBI: 4/19
