Warriors book play-off spot after 7-wicket win over Patriots

The Guyana Amazon Warriors remained unbeaten and climbed to the top of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) standings and into the play-offs with a commanding seven-wicket victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Sunday at Providence.

Mohammad Nabi led the charge with the ball, claiming 4/17, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with 3/16 as the Warriors bowled the Patriots out for 128 in the final over under sunny Providence skies.

In reply, Afghan international Rahmanullah Gurbaz got the chase off to a flying start with a blistering 39 from 25 balls, putting the Warriors firmly in control as they reached their target with nine balls to spare.

Imran Tahir’s side dominated the opening innings after Patriots captain Jason Holder opted to bat first in the scorching Providence heat.

The Patriots struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals and failing to establish any meaningful partnerships.

Dasun Shanaka and Kyle Mayers offered brief support to Alick Athanaze, who was eventually the Patriots’ last man out, but it was Athanaze’s contribution that helped piece together their modest total.

Gurbaz came out firing in the chase, quickly driving the required run rate below a run a ball. He signalled his intentions from the outset, launching a six into the leg side off his first scoring delivery in the opening over.

Holder, who took the new ball, mixed up his pace in an attempt to unsettle the aggressive opener, but Gurbaz continued to find the boundary with ease.

Wanindu Hasaranga continued his impressive tournament with the ball, finishing with 1/23and claiming the key wicket of Gurbaz. His dismissal, however, brought Shai Hope to the crease, and the Warriors wicketkeeper-batter calmly guided his side home with an unbeaten 38 from 44 balls.

The Patriots briefly threatened a comeback when leg-spinner Navin Bidiasee struck twice in quick succession, dismissing rookie opener Mavindra Dindyal and hometown favourite Shimron Hetmyer as the Warriors lose two wickets for just four runs.

But Hope and Nabi steadied the innings with a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 54 to complete a comfortable victory.

The Amazon Warriors remain unbeaten and now sit at the top of the points table with six wins. The Patriots, with one match remaining, remain nervously in fifth place on seven points.