Amazon Warriors’ winning streak ends as Falcons deliver 65-run statement
Key Points(5)
- For 14 overs, the Guyana Amazon Warriors appeared to have the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons exactly where they wanted them.
- Then Shadab Khan changed everything.
- With the Falcons seemingly destined for a modest total, Khan erupted at the death, smashing an unbeaten 30 from just nine deliveries to transform the innings and set the stage for Alzarri Joseph to dismantle the Amazon Warriors’ chase.
- The result was a commanding 65-run victory for the Falcons in Tuesday’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League top-of-the-table showdown at Providence Stadium.
- Khan’s extraordinary cameo featured three sixes and two fours, while Fabian Allen contributed an unbeaten 11 as the pair ripped 46 runs from their final 13 balls together.
For 14 overs, the Guyana Amazon Warriors appeared to have the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons exactly where they wanted them.
Then Shadab Khan changed everything.
With the Falcons seemingly destined for a modest total, Khan erupted at the death, smashing an unbeaten 30 from just nine deliveries to transform the innings and set the stage for Alzarri Joseph to dismantle the Amazon Warriors’ chase.
The result was a commanding 65-run victory for the Falcons in Tuesday’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League top-of-the-table showdown at Providence Stadium.
Khan’s extraordinary cameo featured three sixes and two fours, while Fabian Allen contributed an unbeaten 11 as the pair ripped 46 runs from their final 13 balls together.
More importantly, their late assault produced the decisive momentum swing.
The Falcons, who had been 102 for two after 14 overs, exploded for 72 runs across the final five, finishing on 182 for five.
A quiet start gives way to carnage
The Amazon Warriors’ bowlers had initially kept the Falcons under control, but the pressure disappeared once Amir Jangoo fell for 27 from 30 balls and Hasan Nawaz departed after making 36 from 27.
Captain Moeen Ali then launched the counterattack, hammering Romario Shepherd for consecutive sixes in the 18th over before falling for 18 from 12 balls.
Allen immediately kept the acceleration going, lifting Shamar Joseph for six, while Khan followed with an inside edge that raced away to the fine-leg boundary for four.
The over cost 19 runs.
Then came the knockout blow.
Khan took charge in the final over, launching Shepherd for three straight sixes and a four as 26 runs disappeared from the scoreboard.
From a position of relative uncertainty, the Falcons suddenly had a formidable 182.
Khan’s nine-ball assault earned him Player-of-the-Match honors and left the Amazon Warriors facing a daunting chase.
Joseph strikes back after a blistering start
The home side responded with plenty of intent.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz attacked immediately, taking two sixes from Joseph in the opening over. Mavendra Dindyal then joined the assault, cracking Jayden Seales for a six and a four as the Amazon Warriors surged to 22 without loss after two overs.
Joseph, however, refused to remain under pressure.
After conceding a six over third man and five wides at the beginning of the third over, the Antigua & Barbuda seamer produced the delivery that turned the match.
An exquisite outswinger beat Gurbaz and crashed into the stumps, ending his innings at 18.
Joseph needed only three more balls to strike again.
This time, Shai Hope was the victim, trapped by a delivery that ended his stay without scoring. Suddenly, the Amazon Warriors were 34 for two and the chase had lost its early momentum.
Warriors collapse under relentless pressure
Shimron Hetmyer was given a reprieve almost immediately when a miscued pull flew just to the left of Joshua James at mid-on.
Dindyal appeared capable of restoring control, racing to 25 from only 13 deliveries. But his counterattack ended when he mistimed a drive against Joseph, giving Seales a straightforward catch at mid-on.
The score was 54 for three in the fifth over.
The Falcons sensed the opening.
James struck with his first delivery to Hetmyer, who was caught at point. Khan then joined the destruction, bowling Quentin Sampson for 12 as the Amazon Warriors plunged to 74 for five.
There was little respite from there.
Sufyan Moqim removed Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph cheaply, while Khan accounted for Dwaine Pretorius for one.
At 99 for eight, the contest was effectively over.
Joseph and James completed the demolition of the tail, sending the Amazon Warriors back to the pavilion for 117 in only 14.2 overs.
Falcons take control at the top
Joseph finished with outstanding figures of 4-41, while James claimed 2-11, Moqim returned 2-18 and Khan completed an impressive all-round performance with 2-19.
The victory ended the Amazon Warriors’ six-match winning streak and gave the Falcons a crucial 65-run triumph in front of a large Providence Stadium crowd.
It also moved the Falcons to 13 points from 10 matches and secured their place in Qualifier 1, setting up the strong possibility of another meeting with the Amazon Warriors.
The Warriors remain on 12 points from seven games and need only one victory from their remaining three matches to guarantee top spot.
But after Tuesday night, the Falcons have sent a clear warning.
The Amazon Warriors may still control the road to the final, but the Falcons have demonstrated that they possess the firepower, and the bowling attack, to derail them when it matters most.
