GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - OCTOBER 04: Shai Hope of Guyana Amazon Warriors bats during the Men's 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League semi final match between Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence Stadium on October 04, 2024 in Georgetown, Guyana. (Photo by Ashley Allen - CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

<p>In a dominant performance that underscored their championship aspirations, the Guyana Amazon Warriors crushed the Barbados Royals by eight wickets in the 2nd Qualifier of the 2024 CPL, making it to the finals for the sixth time in history. Led by a remarkable all-around display from Moeen Ali and an explosive start from <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/rahmanullah-gurbaz-974087">Rahmanullah Gurbaz</a>, the Warriors overpowered the Royals&#8217; modest target of 149 in just 14.3 overs, storming into the final to face the <a href="https://www.caribbeancricket.org/the-first-qualifier-of-the-2024-cpl/">Saint Lucia Kings</a>. Barbados Royals, despite a spirited effort from David Miller, were completely outplayed in what turned out to be a one-sided contest.</p>



<p>The match started with Barbados Royals winning the toss and opting to bat, but their decision quickly backfired. Guyana’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Romario Shepherd and Moeen Ali, wreaked havoc, restricting the Royals to 148 all out. Quinton de Kock and Rahkeem Cornwall provided early fireworks, but none of the Royals&#8217; batters could truly establish themselves, as wickets tumbled regularly. In response, the Warriors&#8217; top three—Gurbaz, Shai Hope, and Moeen Ali—delivered a masterclass in power hitting, effectively sealing the game in just over 14 overs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barbados Royals’ Struggles with the Bat</h2>



<p>Barbados Royals&#8217; batting order, featuring big names like Quinton de Kock, Rahkeem Cornwall, and Rovman Powell, failed to live up to expectations. Quinton de Kock&#8217;s stay at the crease was short-lived as he was dismissed for a run-a-ball 15, caught and bowled by the spin wizard Gudakesh Motie in just the third over. Rahkeem Cornwall, after showing promise with a flurry of boundaries, was trapped leg-before by Romario Shepherd for a quickfire 19 off 11 balls. The Royals looked to rebuild after the early blows but kept losing wickets at crucial intervals.</p>



<p>Alick Athanaze tried to anchor the innings with a steady 26 off 24 balls but fell to a well-judged catch by Keemo Paul off Imran Tahir’s bowling. Kadeem Alleyne and Rovman Powell, too, couldn’t convert their starts, departing for 11 and 12, respectively, as the Royals slumped to 75-4 in just over 10 overs. Their captain Powell&#8217;s departure, after attempting a counter-attack with a four and a six, further dampened their hopes. David Miller, batting at No. 6, provided some much-needed impetus to the innings with a 26-ball 36, including two sixes, but his efforts were not enough to push the total beyond 150.</p>



<p>Shepherd, the standout bowler for the Warriors, claimed 3 for 35, dismissing Cornwall, Jason Holder, and Naveen-ul-Haq, while Moeen Ali contributed with two key wickets, including that of the dangerous Powell. The Royals’ inability to capitalize on starts and execute a final flourish cost them dearly, as they were bowled out for 148 in the final over, with two run-outs adding to their woes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warriors&#8217; Clinical Chase</h2>



<p>In response, the Guyana Amazon Warriors wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, opening the innings, set the tone with an explosive 40 off 18 balls. His aggressive start included two boundaries and four towering sixes, punishing Maheesh Theekshana and Naveen-ul-Haq early on. Gurbaz’s blistering assault on the bowling, especially his 18-run over against Naveen, got the Warriors off to a flying start. Despite losing Gurbaz in the fifth over, caught off Theekshana’s bowling, Guyana had already raced to 54.</p>



<p>Shai Hope, fresh off a strong season, continued where Gurbaz left off. The wicketkeeper-batsman played a classy knock, smashing six boundaries and two sixes en route to a well-paced 56 off 33 balls. He shared a match-winning 93-run partnership with Moeen Ali, who was also in superb form. Ali’s unbeaten 44 off 35 balls was a controlled innings that ensured there were no hiccups in the chase. His innings was laced with three fours and two sixes, combining elegance with power as he guided the Warriors home with ease.</p>



<p>The duo of Hope and Ali brought up Guyana’s hundred in no time, as the Royals’ bowling attack, led by Theekshana and Holder, offered little resistance. Hope reached his fifty in just 26 balls, showcasing his ability to switch gears when needed. Though he was bowled by Ramon Simmonds in the 15th over with just two runs left to win, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion. The Warriors eventually crossed the finish line at 149/2, with Shimron Hetmyer hitting the winning run.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Flawless Display of All-round Cricket</h2>



<p>The Guyana Amazon Warriors&#8217; victory was the perfect blend of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding. Their bowlers, particularly Shepherd and Moeen, choked the Royals with regular breakthroughs and intelligent variations. Imran Tahir’s leg-spin was once again instrumental in maintaining pressure in the middle overs, while Gudakesh Motie’s early strike to remove de Kock set the tone for a controlled bowling effort.</p>



<p>On the batting front, Guyana’s top order was unrelenting. Gurbaz’s power-hitting put the Royals on the back foot right from the start, while Hope and Ali’s calm and composed knocks ensured there was no way back for Barbados. The aggressive start during the powerplay, in which the Warriors racked up 72 runs, effectively sealed the fate of the match. Their ability to mix boundary hitting with quick running between the wickets left the Royals&#8217; bowlers with no answers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guyana Set for Final Showdown</h2>



<p>With this emphatic victory in the 2nd Qualifier of the 2024 CPL, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have sent a strong message ahead of the final, where they will face the Saint Lucia Kings. Their comprehensive win over the Barbados Royals not only highlights the depth in their squad but also their ability to perform under pressure. For Barbados, it was a disappointing end to their campaign, falling short in crucial moments despite flashes of brilliance from individual players like Miller and Cornwall.</p>



<p>The Warriors will now look to carry this momentum into the final, aiming to add another CPL trophy to their cabinet in successive years. With players like Hope, Ali, Shepherd, and Gurbaz in top form, they certainly look like the team to beat.</p>

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