Nabi masterclass sends Amazon Warriors into CPL playoffs
Key Points(5)
- Mohammad Nabi produced the kind of complete performance that can define a championship campaign, combining a devastating spell with a timely unbeaten cameo to propel the Guyana Amazon Warriors into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs.
- Nabi claimed four wickets as the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs before returning with the bat to make an unbeaten 25, helping the Warriors complete a seven-wicket victory at Providence Stadium on Sunday.
- The result extended Guyana’s perfect run to six matches and lifted the Warriors to the top of the CPL standings with 12 points.
- They are now guaranteed a place among the tournament’s top four.
- For Nabi, the performance earned him Player-of-the-Match honors.
Mohammad Nabi produced the kind of complete performance that can define a championship campaign, combining a devastating spell with a timely unbeaten cameo to propel the Guyana Amazon Warriors into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs.
Nabi claimed four wickets as the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots were bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs before returning with the bat to make an unbeaten 25, helping the Warriors complete a seven-wicket victory at Providence Stadium on Sunday.
The result extended Guyana’s perfect run to six matches and lifted the Warriors to the top of the CPL standings with 12 points. They are now guaranteed a place among the tournament’s top four.
For Nabi, the performance earned him Player-of-the-Match honors.
Patriots’ fast start quickly unravels
The Patriots became the first team this season to choose to bat after winning the toss, and their decision initially appeared justified.
Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers attacked from the outset, putting together 34 runs inside the first four overs and giving St Kitts & Nevis the kind of start needed to challenge the unbeaten Warriors.
Romario Shepherd soon changed the picture.
The medium pacer bowled Mayers for a rapid 20 from 12 deliveries, opening the door for Guyana’s attack to take control.
Shamar Joseph then removed Andre Fletcher for four, while Shepherd struck again to bowl Charles for 13.
In the space of a few overs, the Patriots had fallen to 39 for three.
Nabi takes command
Captain Jason Holder promoted himself to No. 5 in an attempt to stabilize the innings, but the move produced little reward.
Holder managed only seven before attempting to clear Nabi and instead finding a catch on the midwicket boundary.
Nabi then delivered another major blow.
Wanindu Hasaranga attempted a reverse sweep but failed to make contact, allowing Nabi to clean him up and leave the Patriots struggling at 64 for five after 11 overs.
At that point, the innings appeared to be heading toward a severe collapse.
Athanaze fights alone
Alick Athanaze refused to surrender.
The left-hander mounted the Patriots’ only substantial resistance, producing a determined 52 from 39 balls that featured four sixes and two fours.
He found an important partner in Dasun Shanaka, who contributed a run-a-ball 20 as the pair added 45 runs to push the Patriots beyond 100.
But their resistance ended when Shepherd returned to dismiss Shanaka.
The Patriots then fell apart completely, losing their final five wickets for just 18 runs.
Athanaze was left with little support as St Kitts & Nevis limped to 128.
Nabi finished with outstanding figures of 4-17, while Shepherd returned 3-16 and Joseph claimed 2-22.
Gurbaz and Dindyal blow the chase open
The Warriors wasted little time demonstrating why they remain unbeaten.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mavendra Dindyal immediately attacked the target, racing to an opening partnership of 58 in only five and a half overs.
Gurbaz was the aggressor.
He struck five fours and two sixes during his 39 from 25 balls, putting Guyana firmly in command before Hasaranga finally ended the partnership by bowling him.
Navin Bidaisee briefly injected uncertainty into the chase, removing Dindyal for 17 and then dismissing Shimron Hetmyer for one.
Suddenly, the Warriors were 78 for three in the 11th over.
The Patriots had a narrow opening.
Hope and Nabi finish with no further damage
Shai Hope made sure that opening never became a genuine opportunity.
The experienced batsman remained unbeaten on 38 and joined Nabi in shutting down any possibility of a late collapse.
The pair put together an unbroken 54-run partnership, carefully navigating the remaining overs before taking Guyana to 132 for three in 18.3 overs.
Nabi’s unbeaten 25 completed a performance that had already been shaped by his four-wicket haul.
Warriors secure their place among the elite
Six matches, six victories and now a guaranteed playoff berth, the Amazon Warriors continue to establish themselves as the team to beat.
Their latest victory was built on the versatility of Nabi, the control of their bowling attack and a chase that never allowed the Patriots to regain meaningful momentum.
The defeat leaves St Kitts & Nevis with an increasingly difficult path to qualification. The Patriots still have an outside chance of reaching the playoffs, but they must win their final game and rely on other results falling in their favor.
For Guyana, however, the equation is considerably simpler.
The Warriors are already in the postseason, sitting atop the standings and carrying an unbeaten record into the next phase.
And after Sunday’s performance, they have another powerful reason to believe they can go all the way: Nabi is producing when it matters most.
