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When Ramon Simmons bowled Shai Hope for 56, the Guyana Amazon Warriors had not yet overhauled the modest target set them by the Barbados Royals. They still needed two runs. From 35 balls.
And they got them to seal an 8-wicket win and secure the second spot in Sunday evening’s final of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Providence in Guyana.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/ CPL T20 via Getty Images
Despite reaching 74 for 3 at the end of the tenth over in the second qualifier on Friday evening, the Royals—who got some unexpected help to get past TKR in the Eliminator on Tuesday—could only manage 148 off their full allotment of 20 overs.
The collapse meant that the defending champions needed just over seven runs per over to ensure that they have a chance to repeat as champions of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Providence in Guyana on Sunday.
Thanks to Hope (56, 33 balls, 2×6, 6×4) and Man-of-the-Match Moeen Ali (44*, 35, 2×6, 3×4), they were never challenged in the race to the target.
Makeshift opener Moeen, half of the tenth combination tried by the Warriors this season, raced to 50 off 26 balls after Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40, 18 balls, 4×6, 2×4) fell caught on the midwicket boundary by Naveen-ul-Haq in the penultimate over of the powerplay.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/ CPL T20 via Getty Images
The powerplay yielded 72 runs and Hope and Ali added another 41 by the tenth over.
After that the result was never in doubt, only the margin.
So, we are set for a repeat of the first qualifier at the same venue on Sunday evening. Friday’s win would have given the home side a new lease on life after the 15-run DLS defeat by the St Lucia Kings on Tuesday.
But the Kings have not had many chances to take the title and they will be determined to give it their best shot, especially as their best players have been enjoying good form in recent matches.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/ CPL T20 via Getty Images
Friday’s Qualifier 2 face-off ended with a whimper rather than a bang. Sunday’s final is expected to an epic, elephantine battle.
Summarised scores
Toss: Guyana Amazon Warriors
Barbados Royals: 148 all out (20 overs) David Miller 36, Alick Athanaze 26; Romario Shepherd 3/35, Moeen Ali 2/24
Guyana Amazon Warriors: 149 for 2 (14.3 overs) Shai Hope 56, Moeen Ali 44*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 40
Man-of-the-Match: Moeen Ali
Result: Guyana Amazon Warriors win by 8 wickets
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