Republic Bank CPL: Nabi, Hope power Warriors past Kingsmen

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) opened their Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen on their home turf by six wickets, with 35 balls to spare, at Sabina Park, Kingston.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Amazon Warriors’ bowlers quickly imposed themselves on the home side, who struggled to build any meaningful partnerships.
Khary Pierre claimed his first wicket in GAW colours when Shayan Jahangir was caught at deep midwicket by Shamar Joseph, leaving the Kingsmen three for one. Joseph then produced a brilliant yorker with the final delivery of the powerplay to dismiss Keacy Carty for five, leaving the Kingsmen struggling at 26 for two after six overs.
Captain Rovman Powell and Reeza Hendricks briefly steadied the innings before Warriors skipper Imran Tahir removed Hendricks via a caught-and-bowled dismissal for 40 from 32 balls, including two fours and two sixes. At the halfway stage, the Kingsmen were 61 for three.
Mohammed Nabi then began his destructive spell, dismissing Hassan Khan for one before Powell, after hitting Tahir for six, fell attempting another big shot. Powell was caught by Nabi for 24 from 17 deliveries, which included two sixes, leaving the Kingsmen 77 for five after 13 overs.
The Kingsmen’s woes continued as Nabi removed Andre Russell for just one and Keemo Paul for four. Glenn Phillips then struck with his first delivery, having Kirk McKenzie caught behind for 16.
With the Kingsmen reduced to 103 for nine after 18 overs, Nabi completed a superb spell of four for 22 from his four overs.
Joseph returned to finish the innings, producing another pinpoint yorker to dismiss Vitel Lawes as the Kingsmen were bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs.
In reply, the Warriors made a shaky start as young Guyanese batsman Mavendra Dindyal was dismissed with the second ball of the innings, caught behind off Jediah Blades as the Kingsmen made an early breakthrough.
Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope then steadied the chase with a composed 42-run partnership before Andre Russell dismissed Phillips for 28 from 17 deliveries, including four fours and a six.
Shimron Hetmyer followed shortly after for just one, leaving the Warriors 45 for three at the end of the powerplay.
The experienced Mohammed Nabi joined Hope at the crease and the pair produced a mature 51-run partnership to regain control of the chase. Nabi eventually fell for 19 from 15 balls, handing young leg-spinner Vitel Lawes his first wicket of the match.
At the end of 12 overs, the Warriors were 96 for four and firmly in control.
Hope, who was the leading run-scorer in last year’s CPL, once again proved his value as a top of the order batsman , bringing up a composed half-century to make an immediate impact in the new campaign.
He received valuable support from Quentin Sampson, who chipped in with an unbeaten 13 from nine deliveries. Hope then fittingly sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, hitting a six to take the Warriors to 118 for four in 14.1 overs.
Hope finished unbeaten on 56 from 41 balls, with two fours and four sixes, as the Amazon Warriors comfortably chased down their target to secure a six-wicket victory in their opening match of CPL 2026.