TKR let themselves down in powerplay, says Pooran

Trinbago Knight Riders Captain Nicholas Pooran lamented the powerplay phase of the game after they lost to the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence as the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) continued on Saturday.
Pooran and his side, who were the first team to qualify for the play-offs, will now travel to Barbados to play the Royals on Friday, September 12.
“Brilliant game of cricket. Kudos to Guyana as well, they bowled really well in the powerplay. It was a little tough for us. Kacey and Bravo, that partnership was outstanding and the way Polly came and finished gave us some hope at the end. I think 168 was a really good score on this pitch. We were really happy to defend this, but we disappointed ourselves in the powerplay after getting two wickets. We got into the game again with Sunil and Akeal there, but we let ourselves down towards the end,” Pooran said.
A T20 globetrotter, Pooran, who retired from West Indies cricket, noted that conditions play a role at the toss.
“T20 cricket is really difficult, CPL is difficult. Conditions play a massive role in that, the toss as well plays a massive role. We need to understand and accept that. The guys fought till the end which is for me the biggest thing. We are going to be coming back here. We’ll take all the positives to Barbados,” Pooran added.
TKR are currently missing stalwart Mohammad Amir. According to Pooran, Amir will be ready to go in Barbados and he will return to Guyana for the play-off games.
“As a group, we understand that we are not going to win every single game and it’s not going to be easy. We are looking forward to that Barbados leg. He (Amir) should be fine,” Pooran said at the post-match briefing after the Guyana Amazon Warriors match.
TKR had defeated the Amazon Warriors in their first league meet this season by six wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Warriors returned the favour with a thrilling three-wicket win at Providence. These two teams are expected to meet again at a crucial play-off fixture in the coming days in Guyana.