The Guyana Amazon Warriors secured their place in the Caribbean Premier League playoffs and moved to the top of the table with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Guyana National Stadium today.
Mohammad Nabi delivered a match-winning all-round performance, taking four wickets for 17 runs before scoring an unbeaten 25. His contribution helped the Warriors dismiss the Patriots for 128 in 19.2 overs and then reach 132 for three in 18.3 overs.
The victory extended the Warriors’ perfect record to six wins from six matches and confirmed their position at the top of the CPL standings.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Patriots made a positive start through Kyle Mayers and Johnson Charles. Mayers struck three fours and a six in a rapid 20 from 12 balls, while Charles contributed 13.
Romario Shepherd changed the direction of the innings with a brilliant spell. He bowled Mayers before removing Charles, while Shamar Joseph accounted for Andre Fletcher as the Patriots slipped from 34 without loss to 39 for three.
Shepherd later dismissed Dasun Shanaka for 20 to finish with three wickets for 16 runs from three overs, including a maiden. Joseph claimed two for 22, while Dwaine Pretorius took the remaining wicket.
Alick Athanaze held the Patriots’ innings together with 52 from 39 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes. He shared a 45-run sixth-wicket partnership with Shanaka, which carried the visitors from 64 for five to 109 for six.
However, Nabi prevented the Patriots from building a strong finish. He removed Jason Holder for seven and Wanindu Hasaranga for four before dismissing Navin Bidaisee and Jeremiah Louis in consecutive deliveries. Joseph ended the innings by removing Athanaze in the final over.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz then gave the Warriors a flying start in their pursuit of 129. The attacking opener struck five fours and two sixes in 39 from just 25 balls, sharing a 58-run opening partnership with Mavindra Dindyal.
Dindyal made 17 from 16 balls before being caught and bowled by Bidaisee. The same bowler removed Shimron Hetmyer for one, leaving the Warriors on 78 for three in the 11th over.
Shai Hope and Nabi ensured there was no further trouble with an unbroken 54-run partnership. Hope played the anchor role with an unbeaten 38 from 44 balls, including three fours, while Nabi struck two fours and a six in his unbeaten 25 from 21 deliveries.
Nabi fittingly completed the chase as the Warriors reached their target with nine balls remaining, securing another victory and their place in the next stage of the competition.
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