Captain Malik looking to keep it clean ‘on the road’

“Consistency is key”

By Jemima Holmes

Following a hat trick of wins at home, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will ‘hit the road’ for their next five games in the 2019 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament.

The Warriors’ success at the National Stadium, Providence was no small feat. They defeated the St Lucia Zouks by 13 runs, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by eight wickets, and the Barbados Tridents by a whopping 47 runs. Yet, in spite of their success at home, their task will now be a little more difficult, because they have to play at foreign grounds.
The home crowds at foreign venues will be backing the Warriors’ opponents, but the Amazon Warriors are resolved to continue bagging wins, and all that is required for them to keep on so doing is consistency.
According to Captain Shoaib Malik, “Well, when you win games, of course confidence is there: in the dressing room, and especially (among) the players who are in good form. We’ll just stay consistent in the tournament.
“It’s just the beginning of the tournament. We’ll be on the road for the next five games, and we’ll try putting (together) good combinations, considering the grounds and opposition,” Malik declared in response to questions about the team’s intentions for their 5-game tour. Probed about talents such as Clinton Pestano and Anthony Bramble being utilised, the captain said he anticipates that every player would have his chance with bat or ball, given the great quality of the players in the GAW team.
“Yes! Definitely! I guess we have all good players in our dressing room, and I’m hoping they all get their chances. And it’s just that staying consistent in the tournament is the key (to being successful),” he said.
The Warriors have thus far both chased and established runs on the board, and the result has been the same each time: a win for the Warriors.
There is no doubt about the readiness of either the bowling or batting departments, but Captain Malik explained that the Warriors have to improve in one particular area before they can achieve perfection.
“To be honest, we have performed in all three departments; it’s just the fielding department where we need to improve. We’re going to have some fielding sessions, and look forward for what’s coming our way,” he explained.

Chandrapaul with the ball
Most persons in the National Stadium, Providence were shocked to see Chandrapaul Hemraj take the ball on Sunday for the first over of the Warriors’ bowling innings. While the fans had questions, Captain Malik had no doubt about Hemraj’s capabilities.
“I heard that he bowls left- arm spin, and since this ground has some history of supporting the spinners, that’s why I had one thing in mind: If we start off with Chandrapaul, he can give us a good start, and even take wickets; and that’s what he did upfront,” Malik disclosed.
Hemraj had bowled 2 overs for 10 runs in the game against the Tridents, registering an economy of 5.00. To put the icing on the cake, he had dispatched the Barbados Tridents’ most explosive batsman, Alex Hales.

Feeling ‘right at home’
When visitors are asked what they love most about Guyana, one thing is invariably mentioned: “Guyanese hospitality”. The GAW captain enjoys this immensely. “For me, it doesn’t feel like I’m outside of Pakistan. It’s just packed; and people, they have so much passion about cricket, and whenever we even come out from the hotel, we get a lot of support from all these people, and it’s great to see,” Malik said.
Malik accordingly wants to make known to the Guyanese public his appreciation for the “sold-out” support the team had received during the first three home games recently played, and he says he is looking forward to returning to Guyana for the final two games — against the Jamaica Tallawahs and the Trinbago Knight Riders, on October 3 and 4 respectively.
“I would like to thank them, that they were here and they cheered and supported both the teams; and that’s what I even expect for our two last games,” he disclosed.