The highly anticipated Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finally kicked off with the opening game of the round-robin league fixture, featuring Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) on Tuesday.
The match witnessed an early setback due to rain which reduced the opening encounter of the league to 17-over a side contest. The Knight Riders opted to field first after winning the toss and immediately got the desired result, with the early wicket of Brandon King.
The Warriors are on the charge here with Hero Maximums from Hetmyer,Taylor and Pooran. #CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder #TKRvGAW pic.twitter.com/bzdLA6bWA0
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 18, 2020
Chandrapaul Hemraj’s wicket reduced the Warriors to 23-2 before New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor (33) initiated the rear-guard action along with Shimron Hetmyer.
NARINE MAGIC!!! Sunil Narine strikes early. #CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder #TKRvGAW pic.twitter.com/6Xv73ZK3DA
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 18, 2020
A visibly stocky Hetmyer answered his critics with a brilliant 63 off 44 deliveries, to take the Warriors to a reputable score of 144-5. Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul scored vital cameos to support Hetmyer at the other end.
The Knight Riders began their chase in their trademark counterattacking fashion. However, it was Sunil Narine who had the stranglehold throughout the match.
The wily off-spinner first picked up a couple of wickets with a ball and conceded only 19 in his four overs, at a miserly economy of 4.8.
Later, he came out and bludgeoned the Warriors’ bowling attack with his 28-ball 50, at a strike-rate of 178.57.
Not just a pinch hitter! Narine's second Hero CPL fifty, off just 27 balls, and @TKRiders are well set with captain Polly at the crease with time to spare.#CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder #TKRvGAW pic.twitter.com/V7xxezziGr
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 18, 2020
Narine’s blitzkrieg only left formalities in the match as Warriors tried to make a comeback with the wickets of Kieron Pollard and Tim Seifert.
Moreover, with the Bravo brothers – Dwayne and Darren – at the crease, the Knight Riders threatened to cruise past Warriors score. The match came down to the wire with three needed from three deliveries.
But it was Dwayne Bravo’s boundary which sealed a four-wicket win for the Knight Riders.
It was a helluva knock from Hetty, & Naveen showed why everyone's so excited, but it was the Narine Show once again for @TKRiders – THEY BEAT @GYAmazonWarrior BY 4 WICKETS WITH TWO BALLS TO SPARE.
What a game to kick off Hero CPL 2020!#CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder #TKRvGAW pic.twitter.com/IdhxUN1hLS
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 18, 2020
