TKR 211/5 [Nicholas Pooran 101(59), Keacy Carty 27(13); Shamar Joseph 3/50 in 4 Overs] beat GAW 137/10 in 18.5 Overs [Rahmanullah Gurbaz 36(22); Terrance Hinds 3/17 in 4 Overs, Waqar Salamkheil 3/26 in 4 Overs] by 74 runs
In their final league stage game, the Trinbago Knight Riders clashed against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on the Warriors’ home turf. This game marked to be a crucial one for TKR with a chance for them to seal a top 2 position moving into the knockouts. After a terrific win over BR in their previous game, TKR came into this game with confidence and an intent to finish their league stage on a high. They aimed to put on an all-round strong team performance and pick up this crucial victory over GAW. The fans were thrilled and delighted to watch their favourite stars and were ready to cheer them at their fullest.
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TKR didn’t have a great start to the game after choosing to bat first as they lost a wicket in the first over itself. But what transpired after that wicket was nothing short of incredible spectacle for everyone to witness. Nicholas Pooran walked in at number 3 and took the game by the storm right from the outset. He put the GAW bowlers to the sword and smashed the ball to all parts of the stadium with ease. A 150-run partnership of Pooran and Roy put TKR in the driver’s seat as they aimed to put on a big total. Pooran reached the well deserved three-figure mark and his celebration said it all. An innings full of elegance and power saw 9 fours and a whopping 8 sixes as the Providence Stadium in Guyana witnessed something truly astonishing. TKR looked to bat GAW out of this game however they lost a few wickets in quick succession. Both set batters were dismissed by Shamar Joseph and soon after their dismissal TKR lost another couple of wickets pushing them onto the backfoot. Skipper Kieron Pollard and Keacy Carty came together after the collapse and finished the innings on a high. TKR were able to reach a massive total of 211 courtesy of the meaty blows from Carty and Pollard at the end. The onus was now upon the TKR bowlers to defend this total and take TKR to their 7th victory of the season.
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TKR started their defense strongly with young Nathan Edward picking up a wicket in his very first over. This provided TKR with the much needed momentum as they aimed to pick more power play wickets and put the pressure on GAW. However, Gurbaz and Shai Hope stitched a strong partnership to put the pressure back on TKR. The bowlers needed to break this partnership and Akeal Hosein delivered the crucial wicket of Shai Hope. The tables completely turned after this wicket as Waqar Salamkheil and Terrance Hinds delivered two back-to-back double wicket overs, turning the tide into TKR’s favour completely. GAW kept collapsing and were bundled out for 137. The brilliance of TKR’s bowling effort helped them seal this important victory and must be a big confidence booster for them. An all-round team performance coupled with individual brilliances have ensured TKR have been on the right path and now just a few wins away from the ultimate glory.
