By Anas Ahmed 
Warriors spin their way into eighth CPL final
The Guyana Amazon Warriors produced a clinical bowling display to defeat the Saint Lucia Kings by 14 runs in Qualifier 1 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 at Providence. The victory booked the Warriors’ place in their eighth CPL final, continuing their surge of form at the perfect stage of the season.
Hope and lower-order cameos lift Warriors
Asked to bat first, the Warriors managed 157 all out in 19.5 overs. They made a steady start with 45/1 in the Powerplay, but wickets fell regularly against a disciplined Kings attack.
Shai Hope anchored the innings with 32 (29), while Ben McDermott added a useful 34 (27). The finishing push came from Dwaine Pretorius and Romario Shepherd, who struck vital late blows to lift the total beyond 150.
For the Kings, Tabraiz Shamsi (3/33) and David Wiese (2/14) applied the brakes effectively. Tymal Mills, on his CPL debut, also impressed with 2/28.
Kings crumble under spin pressure
Chasing 158, the Kings never recovered from a disastrous start. They slumped to 12/3 and then 48/7, as the Warriors’ spinners ran riot.
Gudakesh Motie was the star, taking 4/30, while Imran Tahir bowled with trademark guile to claim 2/22. Together, the spin duo dismantled the Kings’ top and middle order.
Despite a valiant fightback from Khary Pierre, who made a maiden T20 fifty (50 off 29 balls), and a career-best 30 (18) from Mills, the Kings were eventually bowled out for 143 in 19.1 overs.
Warriors riding momentum
The victory marked the Warriors’ third consecutive win, showcasing a well-rounded team effort led by their bowling strength. With Tahir now topping the wicket charts at 19 scalps this season, and Motie delivering his best spell of the tournament, the Warriors look well-prepared for Sunday’s final.
The Kings, however, still have another chance. Having topped the table, they face the Trinbago Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 on Friday night for the last ticket to the championship decider.
Brief Scores
Guyana Amazon Warriors: 157 all out in 19.5 overs (McDermott 34, Hope 32; Shamsi 3/33, Wiese 2/14, Mills 2/28)
Saint Lucia Kings: 143 all out in 19.1 overs (Pierre 50, Mills 30; Motie 4/30, Tahir 2/22)
Result: Warriors won by 14 runs
Player of the Match: Gudakesh Motie (GAW) – 4/30
Zainab Shafiq