Saim Ayub steers Guyana Amazon Warriors to maiden CPL title

GUYANA: Pakistan’s opening batter Saim Ayub scored an unbeaten half-century to help Guyana Amazon Warriors win their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title with a thumping nine-wicket win over Trinbago Knight Riders on Sunday at Providence Stadium.

Saim Ayub ended the match in style with a six to finally win a CPL title for Guyana Amazon Warriors, as they fell short of winning it five times in past including the inaugural edition.

Warriors’ captain Imran Tahir invited Trinbago Knight Riders to bat first after winning the toss, and his bowlers justified his decision as they reduced the batting team to 35-3 in five overs after a brief yet quick 24-run opening stand.

Knight Riders’ captain Keiron Pollard fell to Gudakesh Motie on the third ball after the powerplay without opening his account.

Keacy Carty held on to one end for his cautious knock, while wickets kept tumbling at the other end and subsequently, the whole team bowled out at a paltry 94 in the 19^th over.

Carty was the last wicket to fall for his team after scoring an anchoring 38 off 45 balls with the help of two boundaries and one six. Only three batters including Carty managed to reach double figures courtesy, of the Warriors’ brilliant bowling performance.

Dwaine Pretorius topped the bowling charts with figures of 4-26, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the current season of CPL with 20 wickets, while captain Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie picked two wickets each.

Chasing a meagre 95, Guyana started the innings carefully as they lost the opening batter Keemo Paul after scoring a run-a-ball 11 in the third over.

However, Saim Ayub shifted gears after the power play and went after the bowlers, while Shai Hope anchored the innings.

Saim Ayub and Shai Hope knitted an unbeaten 89-run stand for the third wicket to chase down the total.

With Guyana needing 15 runs from seven overs, Saim Ayub hit Ali Khan 18 runs in the over to end the game with six overs to spare.

Saim Ayub scored an unbeaten 52 off 41 balls, featuring five sixes and two boundaries, while Shai Hope scored a run-a-ball 32 with the help of two boundaries.

Shai Hope scored the most runs in the tournament 481, while Saim Ayub stood second with 478 runs.

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