The Guyana Amazon Warriors marched into their eighth Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final on Thursday, powered by a ruthless bowling display that suffocated the Saint Lucia Kings in Qualifier 1.
Defending 157, the Warriors’ spinners tore through the Kings’ batting to seal a 14-run victory at Providence.
Now riding a three-match winning streak, the Warriors head straight to Sunday’s final. Their opponents will be decided when the Kings clash with the Trinbago Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 under the lights on Friday.
Hope holds, Shepherd and Pretorius finish
After being sent in by the Kings, the Warriors battled to 45 for one in the Powerplay, but wickets fell regularly, preventing momentum. Tabraiz Shamsi once again proved his value, snaring three wickets to remain the Kings’ leading wicket-taker, while debutant Tymal Mills impressed with 2 for 28.
Shai Hope steadied the innings with a composed 32 from 29 deliveries before late hitting from Dwaine Pretorius and Romario Shepherd pushed the total to 157 all out. On a Providence pitch that had favored chasing sides earlier in the leg, it seemed a middling score.
Collapse of the Kings
Any doubts evaporated once the Warriors’ bowlers took charge. The Kings’ top order was dismantled, stumbling to 12 for three and then 48 for seven. With the heart of their batting gone, a steep chase became near impossible.
Khary Pierre, however, offered resistance with his maiden T20 half-century, crafting a fighting 53. He was supported by Alzarri Joseph, who added 14 in a 37-run stand, and Mills, who chipped in with a career-best 30. But the damage had already been inflicted.
Tahir and Motie lead the charge
Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir continued to show his class, returning figures of 2 for 22 to take his season tally to 19 wickets—the most by any bowler this campaign. His partner in spin, Gudakesh Motie, was even more destructive, bagging 4 for 30 as the Kings’ middle order collapsed under pressure.
With spin dictating the contest, the Kings were bundled out for 143, falling short by 14 runs despite Pierre’s late defiance.
One step from glory
The Warriors’ blend of resilience with the bat and dominance with the ball has carried them to yet another CPL final appearance. While the Kings must regroup quickly for a second shot at qualification, Guyana’s faithful can already dream of lifting the trophy on home soil come Sunday.
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