The 2023 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) reached its pinnacle with the much-anticipated finals, where Kieron Pollard’s Trinbago Knight Riders took on the Imran Tahir-led Guyana Amazon Warriors. It was an intense cricketing clash that had fans and enthusiasts gripped with excitement, and it certainly lived up to the expectations.
Match Overview:
The Caribbean Premier League 2023 Finals featured a riveting encounter between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors on September 24, 2023. Guyana Amazon Warriors, having won the toss, chose to field first at the Providence Stadium. In a breathtaking match, the Guyana Amazon Warriors clinched victory by 9 wickets.
Scorecard of the 2023 CPL Finals:
Trinbago Knight Riders: 94/10 (18.1 overs)
Guyana Amazon Warriors: 99/1 (14 overs)
Key Moments from the 2023 CPL Finals:
Trinbago Knight Riders’ Innings: The finals kicked off with the batting performance of the Trinbago Knight Riders. The opening pair, consisting of Chadwick Walton and Mark Deyal, took to the crease while Dwaine Pretorius led the bowling attack for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Walton contributed a solid 10 runs before being dismissed by Romario Shepherd. Deyal managed to score 16 runs before falling to Pretorius.
The dismissal of Nicholas Pooran, who could only muster a single run against Pretorius, left the Trinbago Knight Riders in a challenging position, with 3 wickets down for a mere 35 runs on the board. The responsibility of boosting the Riders’ score fell on Keacy Carty, who demonstrated resilience by accumulating 38 runs from 45 deliveries.
Nevertheless, the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ formidable bowling attack, spearheaded by Pretorius (who claimed 4 wickets), ably supported by Motie and Tahir (both taking 2 wickets each), rapidly dismantled the remainder of the Trinbago batting lineup. The Trinbago Knight Riders were bowled out for a total of 94 runs in the 19th over, losing all 10 wickets.
Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Innings: With a target of 95 runs for victory, the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Saim Ayub and Keemo Paul led the batting charge. Akeal Hosein was entrusted with the crucial task of opening the bowling for the Trinbago Knight Riders.
Saim Ayub delivered a stellar and unbeaten performance, amassing 52 runs from 41 deliveries, while Keemo Paul contributed 11 runs before Akeal Hosein dismissed him. Assisted by Shai Hope’s remarkable 32 runs, the Guyana Amazon Warriors comfortably achieved their target by reaching 99 runs in just 14 overs, with only one wicket lost.
Player of the Match:
Dwaine Pretorius from Guyana Amazon Warriors: In an electrifying final, Dwaine Pretorius claimed the title of Player of the Match. His extraordinary performance, marked by consistent line and length deliveries and a touch of swing, played a pivotal role in his team’s victory. Pretorius praised the unwavering support of his team and highlighted the impeccable teamwork within the bowling unit, especially in restricting the Trinbago Knight Riders to a total of 94 runs. He acknowledged the significant contributions of key team members such as Imran Tahir and Prasanna, who played integral roles in the team’s triumphant journey.
