Hosein’s nerve of steel lifts Trinbago Knight Riders to fifth CPL crown
Key Points(5)
- In front of a thunderous, sold-out Providence Stadium, the Trinbago Knight Riders clung to their composure to edge the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets in a heart-stopping finale of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.
- The victory etched TKR’s name into the record books with a fifth CPL crown, a triumph built on discipline, resilience, and one man’s unshakable calm under fire.
- <h2>Warriors falter after early setbacks</h2> Asked to bat first by Knight Riders’ skipper Nicholas Pooran, the Warriors were jolted immediately.
- Young Quentin Sampson lasted just four balls before Andre Russell struck, and though Ben McDermott counterpunched with a fiery 28 off 17, Guyana limped to 41-2 inside the PowerPlay.
- From there, momentum deserted them.
In front of a thunderous, sold-out Providence Stadium, the Trinbago Knight Riders clung to their composure to edge the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets in a heart-stopping finale of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.
The victory etched TKR’s name into the record books with a fifth CPL crown, a triumph built on discipline, resilience, and one man’s unshakable calm under fire.
Warriors falter after early setbacks
Asked to bat first by Knight Riders’ skipper Nicholas Pooran, the Warriors were jolted immediately. Young Quentin Sampson lasted just four balls before Andre Russell struck, and though Ben McDermott counterpunched with a fiery 28 off 17, Guyana limped to 41-2 inside the PowerPlay. From there, momentum deserted them.
Spin dictated the middle overs as Player of the Match Akeal Hosein (2-26) and Usman Tariq (1-18) tightened the noose, while Sunil Narine’s frugal 0-30 left batters starved of runs. Any hopes of a late surge were snuffed out when left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar (3-25) carved through the lower order, restricting the Warriors to a modest tally that never truly reflected the electric home atmosphere.
Pollard sparks, Tahir strikes back
Even with a small target, the chase unraveled into a tense scrap. At 89-4 in the 13th over, Trinbago looked vulnerable and Guyana scented blood. Pollard, though, summoned his big-game aura, launching three towering sixes off Imran Tahir to swing the pendulum back toward the visitors.
But Providence erupted when Tahir, ever the warrior, struck back in sensational fashion—removing Pollard and Russell in consecutive deliveries to leave the game balanced precariously.
Hosein, the iceman of Providence
With chaos swirling and nerves stretched thin, it was Hosein who emerged as the iceman. Walking in at the crucial moment, he calmly steered the chase, closing it with consecutive boundaries off Gudakesh Motie. His unbeaten composure ensured TKR crossed the line at 133-7 with two overs still in hand.
Alex Hales, with a steady 26 from 34, had laid the platform, but it was Hosein’s finishing touch that sealed glory.
Tahir’s gallant effort, TKR’s historic night
Imran Tahir, who finished with 3-34, capped his tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 23 dismissals—a glittering campaign that showcased his enduring brilliance. Yet, despite his heroics, the night belonged to Trinbago, who once again rose above pressure to lift their record-breaking fifth CPL title.
The Warriors thrilled their faithful supporters with grit and heart, but in the end, history bowed to the Knight Riders.
