The Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Trinbago Knight Riders by a score of 37 runs to earn a spot in the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs.
With the victory, the Warriors, who had seven points after nine games, increased their total to nine and moved into second place behind the Barbados Royals, who have 16 points after nine matches.
St. Lucia Kings, Jamaica Tallawahs, and St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots are the three teams with eight points each, however St. Lucia and the Tallawahs each have one game remaining. There are eight points for the Patriots.
Despite playing all 10 games and having seven points, the Trinbago Knights Riders are no longer in contention for a playoff spot.
In this crucial match, Trinbago Knight Riders won the toss and choose to field. Amazon Warriors opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided the Providence stadium crowd with a spectacle by scoring 60 runs off of only 42 balls to jumpstart the Warrior's innings and assist them reach 173/6.
When Ravi Rampaul took the wicket of Chandrapaul Hemraj during the Power Play, the Warriors suffered an early blow to their batting order. Gurbaz made some incredible shots to quicken the pace.
Sunil Narine, who didn't start bowling until the 12th over, helped the Knight Riders regain control of the match by getting rid of Shakib Al Hasan and Romario Shepherd, two crucial wickets.
The Warriors reached 173/6 because to a spectacular late blitz from Odean Smith, who scored 23 runs in 7 balls.
Tim Seifert and Colin Munro helped the Trinbago Knight Riders in their pursuit to a solid opening partnership, but as the Amazon Warriors were energised by a loud home crowd, wickets began to fall throughout their innings.
The Warriors, led by Shakib, rallied to grab wickets and dismiss Nicholas Pooran with some outstanding fielding.
Once captain Kieron Pollard was out stumped, the Knight Riders faced an uphill battle and finished on 136 all out. The Knight Riders finished 136 all out and lost by 37 runs.
Brief scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors: 173/ 6 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 60, Shakib Al Hasan 35, Sunil Narine 2/23) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 136 all out (Colin Munro 30, Samit Patel 34, Shakib Al Hasan 3/20, Imran Tahir 2/31, Junior Sinclair 2/26) by 37 runs. Man of the match: Shakib Al Hasan.