The Guyana Amazon Warriors returned to winning ways and reclaimed top spot in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League standings with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over the St Lucia Kings at Providence Stadium on Wednesday night.
Captain Imran Tahir produced a brilliant spell of 5/17, while debutant Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed 3/13 as the Warriors dismissed the Kings for 119. Quentin Sampson then blasted an unbeaten 37 from only 11 balls to rescue the chase after the home side came under late pressure.
The defeat ended the Kings’ preliminary-round campaign with eight points from four victories, leaving them fourth in the standings. They must now depend on other results to determine whether they will retain a playoff spot.
After choosing to bat, the Kings adopted a measured approach during the Power Play, although Kamil Pooran provided some early momentum. Dwaine Pretorius gave the Warriors their first breakthrough by trapping Tim Seifert lbw, but the visitors still reached a promising 51/1 after six overs.
Their innings quickly unravelled once the Warriors’ spinners took control.
Miraz made an immediate impact, removing John Campbell in his first CPL over for the franchise. Tahir then dismissed Pooran and Roston Chase as the Kings’ top and middle order collapsed.
Miraz and Tahir claimed another wicket apiece in overs 11 and 12, wiping away the platform the Kings had built during the Power Play.
Obus Pienaar offered some late resistance with an important 35, but he was eventually removed by Romario Shepherd as the final wicket, leaving the Kings all out for 119.
The Warriors began their reply cautiously after suffering a defeat to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons the previous night. They reached only 23/1 at the end of the Power Play but remained content to pace the chase carefully.
The approach appeared to be working until Charith Asalanka and Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope in consecutive overs.
Roston Chase then struck to leave the Warriors four wickets down and needing another 48 runs from the final five overs, giving the Kings renewed hope of defending their modest total.
However, Sampson quickly changed the course of the contest. The young batter attacked Chase for two sixes and a four from three successive deliveries, releasing the pressure and placing the Warriors firmly back in control.
Sampson remained unbeaten on 37 from just 11 balls as the Warriors completed the chase with four wickets in hand.
The victory moved the Warriors back to the top of the standings with two preliminary-round matches remaining, while the Kings were left facing an anxious wait to learn their playoff fate.
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