Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Royals Qualifier 2 Match Commentary: Caribbean Premier League, 2024

8.23am  That is all from this game. The final game is coming up. The most important game of the CPL, 2024 is next. Join us for the much-awaited final as Saint Lucia Kings will take on Guyana Amazon Warriors on the 7th of this month at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, the previous day). Do join us for the build up. Till then, cheers!

8.22am  Imran Tahir says he always smiles no matter what happens. Tells they bowled really well in the Powerplay. Tells it was a good leaning from their last match. Feels they wanted to try somethig different and Moeen Ali has the experience to open for the team. Feels going forward this looks like the combination to open but tells they might change for the final game as well. Credits the way they have got the support in all matches. Says it is a dream to play in the finals, they just need to play good cricket and are looking forward to a good battle.

8.21am  Rovman Powell says they lost wickets at crucial intervals but still feels the guys fought hard. Admits they struggled as a team and as individuals at Guyana. Tells the focus is on the next year and not on 2026 where the final is in Barbados. Credits the way his players stepped up in different games and mentions a couple of players who did the job for his team.

8.19am  ...Presentation...

8.13am  Moeen Ali wins the Player of the Match award. He says he wanted to do the job for the team and got lucky with two wickets. Tells he suggested Imran Tahir to allow him to open the innings as he does the job for his domestic team. Shares he just tried to play good shots and bat as much as he can. Mentions the plan was to knock it around while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shai Hope play their shots.

8.12am  Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Guyana Amazon Warriors a perfect platform to chase it down. His innings just ended every chance for Barbados Royals to stay in the game. Even the tiny hope that was left for Barbados Royals was demolished once Shai Hope came in as he kept the intent going and scored runs at a quick pace. An appreciation post for Moeen Ali who played under their shadow and did the job easier for them by knocking it around. Barbados Royals were just not good enough today, not with the bat nor with the ball.

8.09am  Barbados Royals probably could have gone with the spinners in the Powerplay just like how Guyana Amazon Warriors did but Rovman Powell chose Jason Holder and Naveen-ul-Haq and his seamers went for plenty. They needed wickets up front with just a modest total to defend but instead, we saw fireworks from the bat of Gurbaz. Rahmanullah Gurbaz enjoyed the battle against the pacers as Guyana Amazon Warriors ended with 72 runs in the powerplay with Rahmanullah Gurbaz the main architect of the Royals' downfall. The towels were out for the Royals' players but the dew kicked in and made things more difficult for them. Barbados Royals looked clueless as they looked for a wicket. They had no time to think bout the plan as was the carnage from Guyana Amazon Warriors throughout the chase.

8.06am  Guyana Amazon Warriors will face Saint Lucia Kings in the finals. The defending champions who will play their 8th final are all set to defend the trophy at the Providence Stadium, their local home. So, the stars have almost aligned for them for the defending champions to defend the title. A one sided affair and it all came down to who read the conditions well. Guyana Amazon Warriors got the objectives right. The toss, the slow pitch and the dew in the second half. They got it all bang on dearly.

8.02am  Shimron Hetmyer walks in next.

OUT! BOWLED! Ramon Simmonds has something to cheer! Comes up with a scorching yorker, right under the middle pole. Hope fails to dig it out in time and it crashes the stumps.
Shai Hope (wk) b R Simmonds 56 (33b 6x4 2x6)