CPL: 19 Surprising Facts About the Caribbean’s Biggest T20 Cricket League
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a cricketing extravaganza that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. With its thrilling matches and incredible talents, the CPL never fails to entertain.
In the 11th edition of the tournament, we witnessed some remarkable moments and achievements that deserve a closer look. Here are the top surprising facts about the CPL:
19 Surprising facts about CPL 2023
1. Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Maiden Title
- In a historic moment, the Guyana Amazon Warriors clinched their first CPL title. They also became the third franchise to win a home final, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
2. Guyana’s Final Appearances
- Guyana Amazon Warriors have consistently been strong contenders, making it to the final on six occasions, surpassing Trinbago Knight Riders, who have reached the final five times.
3. Trinbago Knight Riders’ First Final Loss
- Trinbago Knight Riders, who had previously won all four CPL finals they participated in, faced their first final loss in the 11th edition.
4. Run-Scoring Records
- Johnson Charles (2855 runs) and Andre Fletcher (2817 runs) became the highest and second-highest run-scorers in CPL history, surpassing Lendl Simmons.
5. Shai Hope’s Dominance
- Shai Hope was the highest run-scorer in CPL 2023, amassing 481 runs in 12 innings, ranking third for the most runs in a single CPL edition.
6. Saim Ayub’s Impressive Debut
- Saim Ayub was the second-highest run-getter in CPL 2023, accumulating 478 runs, which is the fourth-highest runs tally in a single CPL edition and the second-highest by an overseas batter.
7. Dwaine Pretorius’ Bowling Brilliance
- Dwaine Pretorius emerged as the leading wicket-taker in CPL 2023, with 20 scalps at an average of just 15.5, joining the ranks of the best overseas bowlers in CPL history.
8. Players with 100 CPL Appearances
- Five players achieved the milestone of 100 CPL appearances in the 2023 edition: Andre Fletcher, Johnson Charles, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, and Dwayne Bravo, highlighting their dedication to the league.
9. Shai Hope’s Record-Breaking Century
- Shai Hope’s 41-ball century against Barbados Royals became the second-fastest hundred in CPL history, thrilling fans with his remarkable batting prowess.
10. Guyana’s Highest Team Score
- Guyana Amazon Warriors scored a stunning 226 runs in a match, equating the highest team score in CPL history at the National Providence Stadium in Guyana.
11. Evin Lewis’ Boundary Brilliance
- Evin Lewis surpassed Chris Gayle to become the second-highest boundary scorer in CPL history with 362 boundaries.
12. Kieron Pollard’s Six-Hitting Feat
- Kieron Pollard equaled Chris Gayle at the second spot for the most sixes struck by a batter in CPL history with 172 sixes.
13. Heaviest Defeat
- Barbados Royals’ loss by 133 runs against Trinbago Knight Riders marked the heaviest defeat in terms of margin of runs in Men’s CPL T20 history.
14. Lowest Team Total
- Barbados Royals were bowled out for a mere 61 runs in a match, ranking as the fourth-lowest total in Men’s CPL T20 history and the second-lowest when chasing.
15. Rovman Powell’s Rapid Fifty
- Rovman Powell’s 21-ball half-century against St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots was the fastest of CPL 2023 and the second-fastest by a Barbados Royals batter in all editions.
16. Rahkeem Cornwall’s Explosive Century
- Rahkeem Cornwall smashed his maiden T20 century against St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, hitting 12 sixes, the second-highest tally of sixes in a CPL innings.
17. Thrilling Run Chase
- In an epic encounter, Barbados Royals successfully chased down 221 runs against their opponents, marking the third-highest successful run-chase in Men’s CPL T20.
18. Alex Hales’ Heroics
- Alex Hales scored an impressive 119* against Saint Lucia Kings, securing the fourth-highest individual score in Men’s CPL T20 history.
19. Colin Munro’s Milestone
- Colin Munro became the first overseas player and only the fifth batter overall to score 15 or more half-centuries in Men’s CPL T20, solidifying his reputation as one of the tournament’s greats.
The CPL continues to dazzle cricket enthusiasts with its extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments. With each edition, new records are set, and the league solidifies its status as one of the most exciting T20 tournaments in the world. As fans eagerly await the next season, they can look back on CPL 2023 and cherish these surprising facts.
