In the final showdown of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) showcased their dominance as they crushed the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) by nine wickets to clinch their maiden CPL title.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl, the Guyana side put in a stellar performance with the ball, restricting their opponents to a mere 94 runs in 18.1 overs. Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir were the standout bowlers, claiming four, two and two wickets, respectively, while the Knight Riders struggled to establish any substantial partnerships.
TKRs’ batting woes were evident as Chadwick Walton, Mark Deyal and Nicholas Pooran fell quickly. Keacy Carty provided some resistance with a gritty 38 off 45 balls, but the Knight Riders failed to gain momentum.
Saim Ayub guides Guyana Amazon Warriors to victory
Chasing a modest target, the Amazon Warriors displayed composure and class. Saim Ayub, the star of the show, hammered an explosive 52 runs off 41 deliveries, including five towering sixes. Shai Hope and Keemo Paul provided valuable support with their respective contributions of 32 and 11 runs. GAW achieved the target in just 14 overs, with Ayub leading the charge.
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On the bowling front, Akeal Hosein was the sole wicket-taker for the Knight Riders, accounting for Keemo Paul’s dismissal. However, the total proved far too inadequate to pose any real challenge to the formidable Guyana team.
With this resounding victory, GAW put an end to their final jinx, securing their maiden CPL title. Their clinical performance in both batting and bowling ensured they emerged as the undisputed champions of the 2023 CPL season, leaving their fans jubilant.
This triumph will undoubtedly be remembered as a historic moment for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, marking a new chapter in their CPL journey.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
2013: Runner-up
2014: Runner-up
2016: Runner-up
2018: Runner-up
2019: Runner-up
2023: ChampionsGuyana Amazon Warriors won the CPL for the first time ever under the leadership of 44-year-old Imran Tahir, one of the great stories ever in T20 League history. pic.twitter.com/yFeBTZJGT3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 25, 2023
The Guyana Amazon Warriors emerge as CPL champions for the very first time, defeating the four-time champs, TKR, in an epic grand finale showdown. 🙌🏏 Congratulations to the new kings of Caribbean cricket! @ga_warriors 🥳👑#CPL2023Final #TKRvGAW pic.twitter.com/rSSHqWqlY2
— Usman Shaikh (@shaikhusman_7) September 25, 2023
Saim Ayub – A CPL champion and hero! 🔥
He hit 6, 4, 6 to finish off the chase in the final and reach his fifty.
Guyana Amazon Warriors – 5-time runners-up and now first-time champions! 👏🏽#CPLFinal #CPL2023 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/u7gTbPbXqA
— Syed Mussadiq Shah (@MussadiqShah_) September 25, 2023
Saim Ayub finishes the final with a 6 & ends up being the 2nd highest run getter of CPL 2023.
-Also he has the highest number of sixes this season 🔥
What a signing he was for Guyana Amazon Warriors.#CPL2023 #CPLFinal #SaimAyub #Cricket pic.twitter.com/5MjOv7azSR— Zulfiqar Ali Khan 🌍 (@Zulfiqar_Ali_K) September 25, 2023
Guyana Amazon Warriors won the title after 11 years. it was 6th final appearance.
Credit goes to Imran Tahir. What a tournament @CPL @ImranTahirSA #CPL2023 @ga_warriors pic.twitter.com/ldHQaOSeLI— Abdul Waheed Rabbani (@waheedrabbanipk) September 25, 2023
Captain Imran Tahir got emotional, tears in his eyes when he won the CPL Trophy As Captain for Guyana Amazon Warriors.
– He is 44 years old but the way he leads and the he performed is remarkable – TAKE A BOW, TAHIR. pic.twitter.com/wFvvO8hgHJ
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) September 25, 2023
After five heartbreaks in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2019, Many congratulations to Guyana Amazon Warriors on winning their 1st CPL title and more importantly they've become the 3rd team to win the CPL final at home. GAW was better than our beloved TKR on the day & you deserve it! pic.twitter.com/MurufroYPX
— Tyrelle Audain 🇹🇹🏏 (@tjaudain) September 25, 2023
Guyana Amazon Warriors won the CPL 2023 final by 9 wickets: https://t.co/z3rUnzblgi#CPL2023 #cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/mYzYtbMI8y
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 25, 2023
Guyana Amazon Warriors won the 2023 CPL Title under the captaincy of 44-year-old Imran Tahir.
– defeated TKR by 9 wickets#CPL2023FINAL pic.twitter.com/zUU815xFMh
— زماں (@Delhiite_) September 25, 2023
CONGRATS!
Guyana Amazon Warriors are the Champions of Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2023 pic.twitter.com/QkLChggbsD— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) September 25, 2023
Not the finish that we wished for, but it's been a great season nonetheless. Congratulations, Guyana Amazon Warriors! 👏 pic.twitter.com/4gat26tqAW
— Trinbago Knight Riders (@TKRiders) September 25, 2023
Congratulations to the Guyana AMAZON WARRIORS!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QEzsy5FFih
— Ryan Lewis (@Thatkid_Lewis36) September 25, 2023