By Anas Ahmed 
Warriors Roar Back to Form with Thumping Win Over Central Stags
The Guyana Amazon Warriors delivered a commanding performance at the Guyana National Stadium to register their first victory in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), defeating Central Stags by a whopping 66 runs. After both sides suffered opening-match losses, it was the Warriors who bounced back with intent, leaving the Stags languishing at the bottom of the table.
Early Wickets But Warriors Rebuild Strongly
Put in to bat by Stags captain Tom Bruce, the Warriors initially stumbled. Matthew Forde and Blair Tickner combined to dismiss Johnson Charles and Moeen Ali cheaply, leaving the home side in early trouble. But that’s where the revival began.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, later named Player of the Match, anchored the innings with a steady yet fluent 58 off 47 balls, featuring two sixes and three boundaries. His poise at the top allowed the innings to stabilize, and he found an ideal partner in Jewel Andrew.
The young West Indian sensation, already hailed by Shai Hope as “a future superstar,” lit up Providence with a sparkling 45 off 29 deliveries. Their 84-run stand for the third wicket proved crucial in lifting the Warriors to 158/6, a total that initially looked competitive, but not daunting.
Stags Collapse Under Pressure
In reply, the Central Stags never settled. Imran Tahir, the ever-dangerous veteran leggie, turned the screws with 4/23, spinning the Stags into a tangle. Support came from Dwaine Pretorius, who bagged 3/18, and David Wiese, whose tidy 2/13 kept the pressure on.
Only three batters from the Stags reached double figures as they were bowled out for just 92, unable to resist the Warriors’ relentless bowling attack. The emphatic margin of victory also helped boost the Warriors’ net run rate, catapulting them to the top of the GSL standings.
Professional Performance Sets Tone for Warriors’ Campaign
The Warriors showed their depth and resolve with a strong all-round display. The combination of youthful flair from Andrew, measured brilliance from Gurbaz, and experience with the ball gives them a well-balanced unit heading deeper into the tournament.
As the GSL 2025 gathers momentum, the Warriors have firmly announced their intentions, while the Central Stags are left searching for answers after back-to-back defeats.