South Africa all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius who has represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) finished the run chase in style against Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir. In the last over, Guyana Amazon Warriors needed 16 runs to win against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. With four runs needed off last ball, Pretorius smashed a six over long-off to lead Warriors to a thrilling three-wicket win at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.
Wasim's cameo helps Falcons post fighting total
Earlier, Warriors captain Imran Tahir won the toss and opted to bowl first. Teddy Bishop was run out for a single-digit score. Kofi James contributed with a 24-ball 37 before getting bowled by Gudakesh Motie. The left-arm spinner dismissed Sam Billings and a young Jewel Andrew as well. Opener Fakhar Zaman who played the anchor's role missed his half-century. Pretorius got Zaman's wicket in the 15th over. He scored 40 runs from 33 balls including three fours and a couple of sixes. Imad Wasim's 21-ball 40 helped Falcons post 168/6 despite Fabian Allen's slow knock of 11 from 15 balls.
Poor start in run chase
Motie opened the innings alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz but got bowled by Falcons skipper Chris Green in the first over. Gurbaz became Wasim's first victim. The wicketkeeper-batter fell for a 14-ball 20 in the fifth over. Amir bowled a maiden over to Shimron Hetmyer. Warriors were 41/2 after powerplay overs. Hetmyer hit a couple of fours and a six before falling to Wasim in the 10th over. Azman Khan failed to make an impact and got knocked over by Shamar Springer in the 12th over. Shai Hope held on to one end while Keemo Paul got caught in an attempt to hit Fabian Allen for a six over long-on.
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Pretorius and Shepherd's match-winning cameos
In the last four overs, Warriors needed 63 runs to win. Green's last over was expensive. He started off with three extras. Then Romario Shepherd and Hope hit him for a six each. Hope fell to Green for a 34-ball 41. In the 18th over, Shepherd hit AMir for a couple of sixes as 18 runs came from it. In the penultimate over, Shepherd hit a six before getting bowled by Springer. He scored 32 runs from 16 balls. Shamar Joseph hit a six off the final ball of the penultimate over.
Skipper Tahir was pleased with his team’s thrilling win. He said he had belief in his batting lineup till the very end.
“Was a great game. Everyone enjoyed. We showed our character. Any of our teammate can finish the job. I am happy and pleased. We know Romario can hit the ball. We have got Paul and have batting till number 9. Our number 9 came in and hit a six. Sheppy was unbelievable. Thanks to the Guyana fans. They are amazing. We were witness to the best atmosphere to play in. Even Sinclair opened in first class cricket. We had a decent start but kept losing wickets,” he said in the post-match presentation.
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