Sherdon Cowan (Sportsmax)- It is said that T20 cricket is a game of bold strokes and calculated risk, and on Friday night, it was Guyana Amazon Warriors who struck the perfect balance of both, as they toppled defending champions Rangpur Riders by 32 runs to win the second edition of the Global Super League (GSL) T20 tournament at the Providence Stadium.
It was a finale defined by contrasting batting styles, a mix of explosive hitting and calculated stroke play, and a complete bowling display that showcased Guyana’s depth and composure under pressure.
The victory was set up by a competitive first-innings total of 196-4, highlighted by a dazzling second-wicket stand between Johnson Charles and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who put on 121 runs from just 70 deliveries.
Scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 196-4 (20 overs); Rangpur Riders 164 all out (19.5 overs)
Charles, known more for his flamboyant stroke play, was steady and precise in his approach before he retired out on 67 off 48 balls, which included 11 fours and a six. Gurbaz, in contrast, blazed his way to 66 from 38 balls, as he sent six deliveries to the fence and four over it in an innings that oozed intent and aggression.
Though Evin Lewis (five) fell cheaply, and Shimron Hetmyer (zero) never got going, the late fireworks were provided by Romario Shepherd, who slammed three sixes and a four in an unbeaten nine-ball 28. Sherfane Rutherford also played his part with a run-a-ball 19 to give Guyana the final flourish that took the total close to the 200-run mark.
In response, Rangpur Riders—who had been unbeaten heading into the final—crumbled under scoreboard pressure. Their chase was undone early, as they slumped to 32-3 inside the powerplay, thanks to a sharp run-out from Imran Tahir and early strikes by Dwaine Pretorius and Moeen Ali.
A brief recovery was mounted by Saif Hassan, who made 41 off 26, and Iftikhar Ahmed, with a 29-ball 46, as they stitched together a 73-run stand for the fourth wicket. But once Saif was run out in the 13th over, it triggered a devastating collapse, and Rangpur slid from 102-3 to 126-8 in a matter of 27 balls.
Mahidul Islam Ankon smacked a quickfire 30 from 17 balls, but the gap was too wide, and the defending champs were eventually bowled out.
Pretorius finished with 3-37, including the key wickets of Iftikhar and Omarzai (three), while Imran Tahir, ever the magician, grabbed 2-39 to keep the pressure on. Gudakesh Motie (2-32) also chipped in with wickets in the death overs.
This win marks a special chapter for the Amazon Warriors, who were runners-up in last year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 competition, but now sit atop the GSL throne.
