Guyana Amazon Warriors Wipe Out Falcons with Crushing 83-Run Victory
Guyana Amazon Warriors stormed to a commanding 83-run victory over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Match Nine of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. After three closely fought contests earlier in the season, this was a one-sided affair as the Warriors delivered a statement performance with both bat and ball.
The result lifted the Warriors into second place on the points table, just behind the Falcons, and with eight games still in hand, Imran Tahir’s men have positioned themselves strongly in the tournament. The veteran skipper was the star of the night, claiming a sensational five wickets for 21 runs—his best-ever figures in T20 cricket—to crush the home side’s hopes.
Earlier, Tahir had surprised many by choosing to bat first in damp conditions after a 54-minute rain delay. The decision quickly proved correct as the Warriors piled on the runs in destructive fashion. Shai Hope played with elegance to compile 82 from 54 balls, while Shimron Hetmyer lit up the evening with a brutal 65 off only 26 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes. Together they put on a blistering 106-run partnership from just 44 balls, powering the Warriors to an intimidating 211 for 3, the highest total of the tournament so far.
The Falcons began the chase with intent as Rahkeem Cornwall blasted 10 runs from three balls and Karima Gore struck 31 from 14 to give the home fans some early hope. But their dismissals triggered a collapse, and once Tahir entered the attack the game turned decisively. A double-wicket maiden in his opening over silenced the stadium, and the veteran leg-spinner continued to weave his magic, dismantling the middle and lower order with a mix of googlies and flighted deliveries. The Falcons folded for just 128 in under 16 overs, handing the Warriors a thumping win and their second successive victory.
With Tahir in inspired form and their batting line-up firing, the Guyana Amazon Warriors look to be gathering momentum as strong title contenders. The Falcons, meanwhile, remain table-toppers for now but will need to quickly regroup after suffering such a heavy defeat in front of their home supporters.
