In a nail-biting clash, the Guyana Amazon Warriors clinched a dramatic three-run victory against the Barbados Royals in their CPL showdown at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ground in Trinidad and Tobago.
Opting to bat first, the GAW posted a total of 181 for nine, with Saim Ayub contributing a solid 58 and Shai Hope adding a crucial 50 to the scoreline. The opening pair of Gudakesh Motie and Ayub aimed to set a strong foundation, but Motie’s early departure for 7 brought Hope to the crease.
Hope and Ayub combined for an impressive 98-run partnership, but Ayub’s dismissal in the 12th over brought a shift in momentum. Despite a brief 30-run partnership between Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, the Warriors found themselves at 139 for four.
With the end of their innings looming, the Warriors sought to accelerate, ultimately posting 181 with the loss of nine wickets. Carlos Brathwaite’s all-round performance stood out for the Royals, claiming four wickets for 27 runs, while Jason Holder and Obed McCoy contributed two wickets each.
In response, the Barbados Royals appeared poised for victory at 176 for six heading into the last over, with Carlos Brathwaite and Justin Greaves at the crease. However, an exceptional final over from Gudakesh Motie, where he took two crucial wickets and defended six runs, halted the Royals’ momentum and secured the Warriors’ fifth consecutive road victory.
Motie concluded with figures of two for 38 from four overs, while teammate Dwaine Pretorius also played a crucial role, taking two wickets for 24 runs from his four overs.
Reporter: Eric Collymore, NCN News