An emotional Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir says his team played their hearts out during the tournament and had the belief that they would win their first CPL title in 2023.
The Amazon Warriors skittled the Knight Riders for 94 with Keacy Carthy scoring 38 and Dwaine Pretorius (4/26) and Gudakesh Motie (2/7) doing the damage.
Saim Ayub then smashed 52 not out and Shai Hope got 32 not out to race to a nine-wicket win with 36 balls to spare.
“It is beautiful. It’s been a great experience playing for this beautiful franchise and playing for these beautiful people, who always come and support us. I am grateful to The Almighty first of all. Coming into the competition, everyone was sending jokes about my becoming captain, so I think those things motivated me,” Tahir said during the post-match interview.
“So, I actually want to thank the people who said that. Also, I want to thank my family, and all the players’ families. They have been on the road with us. It has been a great journey, a very special journey,” he added.
Tahir said that winning the 2023 CPL title was one of the greatest achievements of his career.
“Obviously, this a very, very special moment for me. Playing in CPL for the past six years, I want to thank CPL. The way they organize this league has been beautiful, it’s been unbelievable. Very good competition,” the Amazon Warriors captain said.
“It’s an absolutely great league. Every year it is getting tougher and tougher. I want to thank everybody who has supported us,” Tahir added.
Tahir praised the work of the Amazon Warriors backroom staff led by former South Africa star Lance Klusener.
“They are always working hard, Since we started from St Lucia, we had always believed that we would get into the semifinals and the finals. We worked really hard,”
The former South African international also expressed his pride at being the first Amazon Warriors captain to win the title.
“I am just really proud that I am the first captain to achieve this. I think this year, we were more hungry than ever before. If you really want something, it will happen for you,” Tahir said.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors captain broke down in tears and said he was really grateful for the support of all on their journey to the title.
Summarized scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 99/1 (Ayub 52*, Hope 32*; Hosein 1/21) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 94 all out (Carty 38, Deyal 16; Pretorius 4/26, Motie 2/7) by 9 wickets
