PROVIDENCE, Guyana – Despite a stunning century from Nicholas Pooran, the Trinbago Knight Riders’ 74-run victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final regular season match of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Sunday came in vain, as the Warriors still secured the top spot on the table.
The Amazon Warriors will now face the St Lucia Kings in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday, while the Knight Riders advance to the Eliminator match against the Barbados Royals on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, the Knight Riders’ innings began on shaky ground when Warriors captain Imran Tahir bowled out Shaqkere Parris with a googly that left the batter bewildered. However, it was one of the few moments the Warriors would celebrate during a bruising night dominated by Pooran’s sublime century.
Pooran delivered one of the most memorable innings in CPL history, smashing 101 off 59 balls, including nine fours and eight sixes. Jason Roy supported with a solid 34 off 26 deliveries as Pooran took charge, dispatching the Warriors’ bowlers to all corners of the Providence stadium. By the time Pooran was dismissed in the 16th over, caught behind by Shai Hope off Shamar Joseph, TKR had laid a solid foundation.
An imposing 211 for five
Captain Kieron Pollard (19 off 13) and Keacy Carty (27 off 13) kept the momentum going, pushing the Knight Riders to an imposing 211 for five at the end of their innings.
In response, the Warriors struggled to gain traction against a disciplined Knight Riders bowling attack. Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hope made starts but were unable to convert them into big scores. Waqar Salamkheil’s left-arm wrist spin and Terrance Hinds’ medium pace wreaked havoc, as both bowlers claimed three wickets each, reducing the Warriors to 88 for eight.
Though late resistance from Gudakesh Motie and Tahir added some respectability to the total, the Warriors were eventually bowled out for 137, falling to a hefty 74-run defeat. It was a sobering end to the regular season for the reigning CPL champions, but they still secured the top spot ahead of the playoffs.
For the Knight Riders, the win provided a huge confidence boost as they head into the knockout stages, with Pooran deservedly named Player of the Match for his electrifying century.
