By Timothy Jaikarran
The Guyana Amazon Warriors have continued to highlight the Hero Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) 2019, with stellar performances coming from every member of the team. The inclusion of the leg spin duo of South African Imran Tahir and Afghan Qais Ahmad to the power packed Warriors squad has strengthened the bowling lineup. The spin twins have led the Warriors from the fore front when most needed.
Tahir has a wealth of experience to his name as at the age of 40 he has played for teams all around the world; South Africa, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Derbyshire, Dolphins, Durham, Durham 2nd XI, Easterns, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire, Hampshire 2nd XI, Lahore City, Lahore Lions, Lahore Ravi, Lahore Whites, Lions, Middlesex, Middlesex 2nd XI, Multan Sultans, Nottinghamshire, Pakistan A, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Under-19s, Redco Pakistan Ltd, Rising Pune Supergiants, Sialkot, South Africa A, Staffordshire, Sui Gas Corporation of Pakistan, Surrey, Sussex 2nd XI, Titans, Warriors, Warwickshire, Warwickshire 2nd XI, Water and Power Development Authority, World-XI, Yorkshire.
Overall, the energetic Tahir has played 265 T20 matches bagging 328 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 20.36, with best bowling figures of 5/23 and an economy rate of 7.07.
When Tahir joined the Amazon Warriors in the 2018 edition of CPL he bagged 16 wickets at an average of 17.8 with and economy rate of 5.9 runs per over. His best bowling of 4/22 was achieved against the Patriots at Warner Park. In his early matches in CPL 2019, Tahir has continued from where he left off claiming eight wickets in his first four matches and already one of the leading bowlers of the tournament.
Meanwhile, 19-year old Qais Ahmad from Afghanistan made ripples on the international cricket scene when he picked up 14 wickets in five matches in the U-19 World Cup in 2018 and ended up as the second leading wicket taker. From then his voyage as a white-ball globe trotter began.
He played in CPL 2018 for the St Lucia Stars (now Zouks) and later for the Hobart Hurricanes where he snared seven wickets with an average of 12.7 in just three matches.
At just 19 years old Ahmad has also played for Afghanistan, Afghanistan Under-19s, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Maidan Wardak Province Under-17s, Mis Ainak Region, Multan Sultans and Pamir Stars.
The wily bowler joined the Amazon Warriors after his Test debut in Afghanistan’s first Test match victory which came against Bangladesh in early September 2019 and immediately made an impact. In his first game, he returned excellent figures of 3/28 and combined with Tahir for figures of 5/45 to give the Warriors an easy win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre.
Despite the 21-year age gap between Tahir and Ahmad they form a mesmerizing relationship that poses serious threats to all oppositions in CPL this season which should be a major factor in the Warriors going all the way this year.
Judging from their track records, there will be lots of summersaults from Ahmad and even more sprinting around the ground from Tahir as they celebrate the Warriors in CPL 2019.
