Shai Hope Secures Warriors Win Over Barbados Royals | CPL 2025
In a thrilling encounter at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, the Guyana Amazon Warriors edged past the Barbados Royals by four wickets in Match 21 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. The victory keeps the Warriors in contention for the playoffs, while the Royals remain winless and rooted to the bottom of the points table.
Both teams entered the game desperate for a win, with only two playoff spots remaining. The Royals, playing at home, struggled early as the Warriors’ bowlers tightened the screws. Barbados lost five wickets for just 69 runs in 12 overs, before Rovman Powell unleashed a breathtaking counterattack. Powell smashed 50 off 28 balls, hitting six towering sixes — curiously without a single four — giving the Royals a defendable total of 165/6.
Despite the Royals’ valiant total, the target always seemed slightly below par. The Warriors’ response was paced to perfection, anchored by Shai Hope, who scored an unbeaten 62 off 29 balls. Hope’s composure under pressure, especially following rain delays that extended the game, proved decisive in guiding the chase.
He received support from Quentin Samson, who contributed 33 off 20 balls, including a match-winning six off Chris Green in the final overs. Earlier in the Royals innings, Dwaine Pretorius had impressed with a rapid 53 off 34 balls, featuring four sixes and two fours, but it wasn’t enough to secure a breakthrough home victory.
Bowling for the Royals, Eathan Bosch (3/35) and Ramon Simmonds (2/27) delivered impressive spells, keeping the Warriors under pressure at times. However, Hope’s clinical finishing ensured the Warriors crossed the line with just two balls to spare, highlighting the fine margins in T20 cricket.
With this win, the Guyana Amazon Warriors leapfrog to fourth place in the CPL 2025 points table, maintaining pressure on the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who are positioned third and fifth respectively. For the Royals, it’s another disappointing chapter as they search for their first win of the season.
Key Highlights:
- Rovman Powell scored 50 off 28 balls for Barbados Royals, hitting six sixes.
- Shai Hope’s unbeaten 62 guided Guyana Amazon Warriors to victory.
- Eathan Bosch (3/35) and Ramon Simmonds (2/27) impressed with the ball for Royals.
- Quentin Samson’s 33 off 20 provided crucial support in the chase.
- Dwaine Pretorius hit 53 off 34 but Royals fell short again.
- The win moves the Warriors to fourth in the CPL 2025 points table.
