Republic Bank CPL: Defending champs ‘Warriors’ march into 2024 final

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will have the opportunity to defend their Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in the 2024 final, following a commanding victory against the Barbados Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday night.
The fans at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence sat on pins and needles as captain Imran Tahir won the toss and opted to bat, but the Warriors produced a disciplined bowling performance and spectacular batting to follow as they defeated the Royals by 8 wickets.
The Amazon Warriors’ bowling attack appeared much more composed than had been the case in the previous game, and it reined in the renowned firepower the Royals possess in the initial overs.
Gudakesh Motie was again handed the ball first, and he bowled a tidy over which produced 7 runs, and that ultimately set the tempo for the rate Barbados would go at for much of their innings.

Moeen Ali followed with an over of 2 runs, and in the following rotation from Motie, the prized wicket of Quinton de Kock fell, as the South African batsman chipped the ball back to Motie for a caught-and-bowled fall for 15 runs.
Romario Shepherd was sent for a hat trick of fours in the 5th over but the Berbician rebounded with the wicket of Rahkeem Cornwall. Though not given initially by the umpire, the Amazon Warriors managed to retain their review with a successful request of the third umpire, and Cornwall went back to the dugout for 19 runs.
Admittedly, the Royals were able to find the boundary or further at least once per over, but the defending champions’ bowling was fool- proof on Friday night, and not too much fireworks was allowed to take place.

A brilliant catch from Shimron Hetmyer sent Kadeem Alleyne back to the dugout and ended a burgeoning partnership between Alleyne and Alick Athanaze. Imran Tahir struck soon after in dismissing Athanaze for 25 from 24, but the danger of the Barbados batting lineup still loomed with David Miller, who robbed Trinbago of a chance in the Qualifier 2, and Rovman Powell at the crease.
However, the duo did not so much for their team’s scorecard, adding only 12 and 36 runs respectively.
Then a hat trick of wickets in the final over, served up be Romario Shepherd, kept the Royals to 148 in their 20 overs. Miller’s 35 eventually became the top score, while Athanaze’s 16 was a close second.

Romario Shepherd was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers. He claimed 3/35 from 4 overs, while Moeen Ali picked up 2-24 in 4.
Clearly with an intention in kind, Rahmanullah Gurbaz got off to a flying start in the chase, slamming 2 fours and 4 sixes for an 18-ball 40. Then Moeen Ali, who became the Warriors’ most recent opening talisman, put on a 93-run partnership with Shai Hope to take the defending champions within 2 runs of victory.
Unfortunately, Hope’s campaign ended in the 15th over on 56 from 33 deliveries, as young Ramon Simmonds castled his more experienced countryman. But Ali and Shimron Hetmyer divided up the reaming two runs between themselves to take the home side to victory in 14.3 overs with 33 balls to spare. Moeen Ali, in what eventually became an all- round performance, ended unbeaten on 44 from 35 deliveries.
Only Maheesh Theekshana and Ramon Simmonds were able to make inroads for the Royals with one wicket each.
As such, the Amazon Warriors will be back at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday to defend their title against the St. Lucia Kings, with the action bowling off at 19:00hrs.