In the CPL 2023 final, Guyana Amazon Warriors achieved a historic victory that left an emotional Imran Tahir in tears from the end of the match to the presentation ceremony and beyond. After falling short in five previous CPL finals, Tahir played a significant role in leading his team to their first CPL title.
The Amazon Warriors achieved this feat by bowling out the highly successful Trinbago Knight Riders for a mere 94 runs in front of an ecstatic home crowd in Providence. They then chased down the target with six overs to spare, sparking jubilant celebrations. Dwaine Pretorius was the star of the bowling effort, claiming 4 wickets for 26 runs. He received valuable support from Romario Shepherd, Imran Tahir, and Gudakesh Motie, who bowled economically. Pretorius and Shepherd played crucial roles throughout the season, taking 19 wickets in the powerplay overs. With the match set up for victory, Saim Ayub and Shai Hope formed an unbeaten partnership to secure the title.
The Amazon Warriors’ bowling performance saw Knight Riders lose three wickets in as many overs, disrupting their innings. Kieron Pollard and Akeal Hosein attempted aggressive shots but perished in the process. The collapse continued, and the Knight Riders couldn’t recover from 35 for 3. Keacy Carty and Andre Russell tried to stabilize the innings but were unable to make a substantial impact. Imran Tahir’s brilliant legbreak led to Russell’s dismissal. Knight Riders managed to reach only 49 for 6, marking their second-lowest total in a 20-over game.
In contrast, the Amazon Warriors started their chase cautiously, but Saim Ayub and Shai Hope, the season’s top two run-scorers, shifted gears. Ayub, in particular, targeted the boundaries with five sixes, completing his half-century in style. The Amazon Warriors secured the win with ease, and Ayub celebrated the victory with his teammates in a jubilant atmosphere.
The top performers for the Guyana Amazon Warriors included Hope and Ayub with their batting prowess, while Pretorius and Tahir led the bowling attack with 20 and 18 wickets, respectively. Shai Hope was also honored as the Player of the Tournament.