Warriors cruise to victory over Patriots in high-scoring thriller

Defending champions, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, secured their second victory in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a commanding 40-run win over the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots last night at Warner Park, Basseterre.

The victory maintained the Warriors’ perfect start to the season, while the Patriots suffered their third consecutive defeat. This match featured 42 sixes, which is the joint-most in a men’s T20.

Choosing to bat first in damp conditions, the Warriors powered to a colossal total of 266/7 from their 20 overs, thanks to a sensational knock from Player of the Match, Shimron Hetmyer. The left-hander smashed 91 off just 39 balls, peppering the boundary with an astonishing 11 sixes. His innings, which didn’t feature a single four, was pivotal in pushing the Warriors to the second-highest team total in CPL history. The CPL record still belongs to the Trinbago Knight Riders, who scored 267-2 in 2019 against the Jamaica Tallawahs at Sabina Park.

At the other end, Rahmanullah Gurbaz continued his fine form in the Caribbean as he scored 69 runs and combined with Hetmyer for a partnership worth 116 runs. The Afghanistan batsman was the highest run-scorer in this year’s T20 World Cup with 281 runs from eight matches, as the tournament’s surprise package made the semi-finals.

Despite a valiant effort by Patriots captain Andre Fletcher, who struck 81 from 33 balls in a fearless response, the hosts ultimately fell short. Fletcher’s dismissal, caught off Gudakesh Motie’s bowling in the 13th over, proved to be the turning point as the Patriots struggled to maintain momentum. Motie, with figures of 3-29, and Imran Tahir, who also claimed three wickets, led the charge with the ball for the Warriors.

Although rain threatened to disrupt the match, the Warriors’ bowlers finished strong, with Dwaine Pretorius sealing the win by dismissing Mikyle Louis to end the Patriots’ innings on 226 all out in 18 overs.

The Warriors, looking every bit like title contenders, now face the St. Lucia Kings at the Daren Sammy Stadium on Saturday, while the Patriots look to pick up their first points of the season on Friday against the Barbados Royals.

Summarised Scores:

Guyana Amazon Warriors: 266-7 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 91, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 69; Kyle Mayers 1-41)

St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots: 226 all out in 18 overs (Andre Fletcher 81, Dewald Brevis 36; Gudakesh Motie 3-34, Imran Tahir 3-48)

Result: Guyana Amazon Warriors won by 40 runs. (JC)

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