Romario Shepherd struck the fastest half-century in Global Super League history and shared a record eighth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Nabi as the Guyana Amazon Warriors overcame a major middle-order collapse to defeat the Desert Vipers by two wickets on last night at the Guyana National Stadium.
Chasing 206 for victory, the Warriors tumbled from 71 for one to 95 for seven before Shepherd and Nabi added 91 runs to revive the innings. Shepherd blasted 52 from 21 balls, including six sixes and two fours, as the Warriors reached 206 for eight in 19.3 overs. Shepherd’s fifty was brought up in just 17 balls eclipsing the previous best set (from 21 balls) set by Lahore Qualanders’ Farhan Yousaf earlier this week.
The partnership surpassed the Warriors’ previous highest eighth-wicket stand in T20 cricket, the 74 shared by Keemo Paul and Odean Smith.
Shepherd, who was named Player of the Match, was dismissed with the score on 186 in the 18th over, but Nabi remained unbeaten on 40 from 29 balls. Dwaine Pretorius then struck three fours in an unbeaten 17 from nine deliveries to complete the chase with three balls remaining.
The Warriors had made a rapid start through Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Quentin Sampson, who added 55 inside five overs. Gurbaz struck 31 from 15 balls, while Sampson made 35 from 17, with both hitting three sixes.
However, their dismissals triggered a dramatic collapse. Shimron Hetmyer was bowled for a first-ball duck, Rovman Powell struggled for two from seven balls and Muhammed Haris made 12. Gudakesh Motie contributed five before Jonathan Van Lange was dismissed for a first-ball duck on his debut, leaving the Warriors facing defeat at 95 for seven in the 11th over.
Shepherd responded with an aggressive counterattack while Nabi provided support at the other end. Their partnership transformed the chase before Nabi and Pretorius finished the job.
Shadab Khan led the Vipers’ bowling with three for 40, while Khary Pierre took two for 37. Vitel Lawes claimed two for 31 from his four overs, with Nathan Smith collecting the other wicket.
Earlier, the Vipers posted 205 for six after being sent in to bat. Rilee Rossouw anchored the innings with 61 from 48 balls, hitting five fours and one six.
The Vipers slipped to 54 for three in the seventh over before Kyle Mayers and Rossouw added 49 for the fourth wicket. Mayers accelerated with 35 from 18 balls, including three fours and three sixes, while Bevon Jacobs contributed 30 from 17.
Vriitya Aravind provided the late momentum with an unbeaten 28 from 11 balls, striking six fours. Nathan Smith then scored 10 not out from the final two deliveries as the Vipers accumulated 57 runs from the last four overs.
Imran Tahir was the Warriors’ leading wicket-taker with two for 37, while Nabi, Shepherd and Motie claimed one wicket each. Nabi was also the most economical bowler, conceding just 25 runs from his four overs.
Summarised scores: Desert Vipers 205-6 from 20 overs (Rilee Rossouw 61, Kyle Mayers 35, Bevon Jacobs 30, Vriitya Aravind 28 not out; Imran Tahir 2-37) lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors 206-8 from 19.3 overs (Romario Shepherd 52, Mohammad Nabi 40 not out, Quentin Sampson 35, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 31; Shadab Khan 3-40, Vitel Lawes 2-31) by two wickets.
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