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PROVIDENCE: A fighting knock from Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed went in vain as Guyana Amazon Warriors outclassed Rangpur Riders by 32 runs to lift the Global Super League (GSL) 2025 trophy on Friday.
Chasing a daunting target of 197, Rangpur Riders were bundled out for 164 in 19.5 overs despite Iftikhar’s counterattacking 46 off 29 balls.
The right-hander smashed four sixes and a boundary during his knock, keeping his side in the hunt after an early collapse left them reeling at 29-3.
Iftikhar stitched a crucial 73-run stand with Saif Hassan, who made 41 off 26 balls, but both fell in quick succession, and the Riders couldn’t recover.
Mahidul Islam Ankon chipped in with a quickfire 30 off 17, but the lower-order crumbled under pressure, with seven batters failing to reach double figures.
Dwaine Pretorius led the way with the ball for Guyana, grabbing 3-37, while Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie picked up two wickets apiece.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Guyana Amazon Warriors piled up 196-4 on the back of a brutal 121-run partnership between Johnson Charles and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Charles cracked 67 off 48 balls with 11 fours and a six before retiring hurt, while Gurbaz hammered 66 from just 38 deliveries, featuring six fours and four sixes.
Romario Shepherd provided the late fireworks with a blistering 28 off nine balls, including three sixes and a four, while Sherfane Rutherford added 19.
Rangpur’s bowling struggled to contain the onslaught, although Iftikhar was tidy with the ball as well, conceding only 12 runs in his two overs and picking up a wicket. Khaleel Ahmed and Tabraiz Shamsi also claimed a wicket each.
Gurbaz was named Player of the Match for his explosive half-century, while Imran Tahir, who took 14 wickets in the tournament, bagged the Player of the Tournament award.
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