Guyana Amazon Warriors secured a last-ball victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL opening game.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors won the thrilling match in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2024 opening game. Dwaine Pretorius played a vital role in hitting the winning runs at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The game saw a remarkable turn of events as it went to the final delivery. With a strong performance from Pretorius, the Warriors overcame the Falcons in a game that shifted momentum multiple times.
The match’s momentum kept shifting between the two teams throughout the game. The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons were batting first after losing the toss. Moreover, they faced early setbacks with a well-executed runout by Shai Hope dismissing Teddy Bishop. After a slow start, due to a good partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Kofi James, they formed a 73-run partnership, helping the Falcons reach a competitive score of 168-6.
However, the Falcons faced a setback when Gudakesh Motie delivered a crucial strike. Motie dismissed Sam Billings and Jewel Andrew, triggering a collapse as the Falcons lost four wickets for 29 runs. Gurbaz also went inside the PowerPlay when Sharmar Springer’s catch at midwicket dismissed him. Imad Wasim played a counter-attacking innings, scoring 40 from 21 balls to take the Falcons to what eventually became their total.
Nevertheless, the Warriors faced early challenges. The Falcons’ bowlers, particularly the spinners, restricted the Warriors’ scoring rate. Despite the Warriors’ struggles, Shimron Hetmyer tried to steady the innings but was dismissed by Imad Wasim. The Warriors faced further setbacks as Azam Khan was bowled after an aggressive delivery from Shamar Springer, leaving the team at 77-4.
Shai Hope, the previous year’s Warriors Player of the Tournament, was still at the crease to take his team to victory. However, he was dismissed for 41, and the Warriors were in a difficult position with a high required rate. With 47 runs needed from the final 18 balls, Pretorius delivered a remarkable performance. Moreover, his 18 runs from the last six balls led to a three-wicket victory for the Warriors.
It was a rollercoaster game, with both teams displaying their best. Fans can look forward to more intense matches and great cricket as the tournament progresses. With this dramatic start, the CPL promises to deliver plenty of action and entertainment throughout the season. The victory marks a confident beginning for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in their quest to defend the CPL title. Moreover, Antigua and Barbuda will seek to regroup and come back stronger in their next fixture.
