On the back of Azam Khan's blistering half-century with the bat and Imran Tahir's stifling spell with the ball, Guyana Amazon Warriors flexed their muscle and bulldozed Jamaica Tallawahs by 81 runs in a crunch Qualifier 2 game of the Caribbean Premier League on September 22 (Friday). As a result, Guyana stormed into the final for the sixth time and will now cross swords against heavyweights Trinbago Knight Riders.
After being asked to bat first, Guyana got off to a brisk start with Saim Ayub and Shai Hope combining for a 49-run alliance for the second wicket. The left-handed Ayub scored 20 runs off 15 balls while Hope chipped in with 40 runs in 33 balls. Shimron Hetmyer, who walked into bat at No.4, played a decent cameo of 31 runs off 29 balls with the help of two fours and a six.
The impetus to Guyana's innings was provided by Azam, who displayed his brute power once again. The right-handed batter whacked five fours and four sixes during his pulverising knock of 54 runs off 27 balls. Romario Shepherd (15 runs off 8 balls) made a handy contribution as well which pushed Guyana's total to 182/6 in 50 overs.
For Jamaica, Shamar Springer and Nicholson Gordon bagged two wickets each while Mohammad Amir and Raymon Reifer chipped in with a wicket each.
Jamaica's run chase turned into a complete disaster with the top-order crumbling like a pack of cards. The wickets fell in quick succession as Jamaica were reduced to 41/6 after eight overs. Imad Wasim turned out to be the lone warrior as the left-handed batter scored 43 not out off 33 balls with the help of five fours and a six. Apart from Wasim, it was a pathetic display from other Jamaican batters as the team could only manage a score of 101 all out in 15.2 overs.
For Guyana, skipper Tahir led from the front and finished with excellent figures of 3/7 in 2.2 overs. Dwaine Pretorius bagged two wickets while Shepherd, Ronsford Beaton and Gudakesh Motie chipped in with a wicket each.
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