ExxonMobil Guyana GSL: Bowling masterclass hands Warriors 2nd consecutive win

Another display of excellent defensive bowling from the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) for the second consecutive game steered the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 hosts to their second win of the 2025 season.
This time around, the hosts found themselves defending what would otherwise be considered a below-par 138.
Dwaine Pretorius again broke the ice for the Amazon Warriors, castling Rohan Mustafa in the third over. Then, Romario Shepherd came within inches of claiming a hat-trick with back-to-back strikes in the fifth over in response to being launched over the ropes for a maximum the previous ball.
From there on out, the Warriors kept on chipping away at their visitors, simultaneously stifling their flow of runs.

The introduction of Captain Imran Tahir into the bowling attack caused “Warrior Nation” to erupt in boisterous celebrations as the Captain rocked back Sanjay Krishnamurthi’s stumps for 1 on the very first ball of his spells.
Tahir would have had a second on his second ball, but a review of the lbw decision gave Jesse Bootan a second life, that is only until the fifth ball of the over when Tahir finally got his man lbw.
The experienced Niroshan Dickwella was Dubai Capitals’ last hope, tethering along at 36 off 17 deliveries. But the die was finally cast in the 13th over for the Capitals when Gudakesh Motie claimed his first wicket of the night, having Dickwella caught behind by Rahmanullah Gurbaz after trying a second reverse sweep in the over. In that very over, Motie later sent Dominic Drakes packing following another lbw saga and by that time, it was all but over for the visitors.
The Capitals were eventually routed for 81 in just 15.4 overs, handing the hosts a 57-run victory to propel them back to the top of the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL points table.
Captain Tahir led from the front with another four-for, conceding just 12 runs while the likes of Shepherd and Motie claimed two apiece.

A long road to 138
After choosing to bat first at the toss, it was a slow start to their 138 for the Amazon Warriors, who, at times, were made to toil for their runs.
Following up on a half-century from two nights prior, Gurbaz found it difficult to get off the mark and after failing to make any connection with the first three balls of the innings, the Afghan batter had his stumps rattled by Dominic Drakes without scoring.
A switch-up in the batting line-up then introduced Shimron Hetmyer to the crease. That over was, likely, the best of the powerplay for the Warriors as Hetmyer and Charles combined for a hat-trick of boundaries. But the Berbician’s misfortunes in this tournament continued when he was trapped lbw by Gulbadin Naib for just 14.
Charles departed at the top of the following over and a mini-partnership of sorts then formed between Moeen Ali and Jewel Andrew. The 43-run partnership pulled the hosts out of hot water, after they found themselves reeling at 27-3 inside the powerplay.

Andrew was visibly upset with himself when his daring shot off Qais Ahmad’s bowling found Dickwella, ending his innings of a patient 16 off 24 deliveries.
Ali, however, pushed on, but not long enough to reach the 50 milestone. Before he departed for a crucial 40 off 38 balls, including two fours and two sixes, Ali’s 47-run collaboration with Sherfane Rutherford proved important.
Fours fours and one six embellished Rutherford’s 32 off 23 which added much impetus to the Amazon Warriors’ innings. Though the overs were now dwindling and vastly approaching the 20- mark, the hosts had comfortably made it past the 100-run mark, resulting in a sigh of relief from the tense fans at the National Stadium.
Playing his first game this tournament, Romario Shepherd’s unbeaten 19 brought the hosts up to 138.
Kareem Sana was the chief author of the Amazon Warriors’ struggles, taking 4-31 off 4 overs. The Amazon Warriors will benefit from a few days’ rest before their next match against the Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday at 19:00h. The tournament, however, continues on Tuesday with a clash between the Central Stags and Hobart Hurricanes at 19:00h.