PROVIDENCE, Guyana – Nicholas Pooran guided Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to a commanding 74-run victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 clash on Sunday night.

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Pooran smashed 101, his first century of the 2024 CPL, helping TKR post a formidable total of 211 for five in their 20 overs. However, despite the victory, the Knight Riders ended the preliminary round in third place, missing out on a top-two finish due to an inferior net run rate compared to the Warriors and St Lucia Kings.

The Amazon Warriors suffered a dramatic middle-order collapse, losing five wickets for just six runs, before being bowled out for 137 in 18.5 overs. While TKR finished on 14 points, level with both the Warriors and Kings, their net run rate meant they would face the Barbados Royals in the Eliminator match on Tuesday. The Warriors and Kings will play each other in Qualifier 1 for a direct path to the final.

A blistering 152-run stand

After losing opener Shaqkere Parris for a duck in the first over, Pooran partnered with Jason Roy for a blistering 152-run stand. Pooran’s innings was marked by powerful hitting, including nine fours and eight sixes. His half-century came off just 21 balls, with Roy playing a supporting role, contributing 34 before falling in the 14th over.

Though TKR’s middle order stumbled after Pooran’s departure for 101, late contributions from Keacy Carty (27 not out) and Kieron Pollard (19 not out) powered TKR to a strong finish.

In reply, the Amazon Warriors briefly rallied with a 58-run partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (36) and Shai Hope (28), but Akeal Hosein’s dismissal of Hope triggered a devastating collapse. Waqar Salamkheil (3-26), Terrance Hinds (3-17), and Nathan Edward (3-19) ripped through the Warriors’ line-up, reducing them to 88 for eight.

A late fightback from Gudakesh Motie (26 not out) and Imran Tahir (20) was not enough to prevent the defeat, as the Warriors fell well short of the target.