GEORGETOWN, Guyana – THE Guyana Amazon Warriors produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in franchise T20 cricket on Saturday night, defending a modest total to defeat the San Francisco Unicorns by six runs and successfully retain the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) title at Providence Stadium.
What appeared destined to be a straightforward victory for the Unicorns turned into an unforgettable triumph for the home side, whose bowlers refused to surrender after the batting lineup collapsed on a spin-friendly surface.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Warriors endured a nightmare start, eventually being bowled out for just 85 in 18.5 overs. At one stage, they were reeling at an astonishing 29-8, leaving the near-capacity home crowd fearing the worst.
The third edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, which features champion T20 franchises from around the world, has produced several thrilling contests, but few matched the drama of Saturday's final.
The Unicorns looked well placed to chase down the modest target, but the Warriors' bowlers produced an inspired performance to dismiss them for 79. The match ended dramatically when Shimron Hetmyer produced a direct hit from the field to run out last man Callum Stow at the non-striker's end with seven balls still remaining.
Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi and fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius led the charge with the ball, claiming 3-12 and 3-24 respectively to rip through the Unicorns' batting order.
Pretorius made an immediate impact by removing the in-form Tim Robinson with the first delivery of the innings, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris. Gudakesh Motie followed up by bowling Connor Esterhuizen with the first ball of the second over before Unicorns captain Hassan Khan was caught by Hetmyer at mid-off off another Pretorius delivery.
Oliver Peake battled hard with a determined 31, but found little support as wickets continued to tumble. Sanjay Krishnamurti (9) and Hammad Azam (1) both departed in quick succession, while Warriors captain Imran Tahir briefly threatened a hat-trick after dismissing Azam and Karima Gore with consecutive deliveries.
Fabian Allen and Peter Siddle delayed the inevitable with a patient 14-run partnership that lasted 33 balls, but the Warriors maintained their composure to complete a memorable victory.
Earlier, the defending champions struggled badly with the bat after being dismantled by a disciplined Unicorns attack.
Young leg-spinner Anirudh Immanuel starred with figures of 3-7, while veteran Australian seamer Peter Siddle claimed 3-18.
Siddle trapped Johnson Charles leg before wicket for two before dismissing Haris in similar fashion for six. The Warriors also lost explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for eight after he was brilliantly caught and bowled by Allen.
The home side slumped to 26-6 after Shimron Hetmyer (4), Rovman Powell (2) and Nabi (2) all fell inside the Powerplay.
Just when the innings appeared beyond saving, Matthew Forde produced a fighting knock of 28, while Pretorius remained unbeaten on 17. The pair combined for a crucial 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket, giving the Warriors a total that ultimately proved enough.
Pretorius' outstanding all-round display earned him the Player-of-the-Match award, while Nabi finished the tournament as Player of the Tournament after taking a competition-leading 10 wickets and scoring 53 runs, including an unbeaten 40 during the preliminary stage.
Five champion franchises contested this year's Global Super League, with the Guyana Amazon Warriors joined by the San Francisco Unicorns, Desert Vipers, Lahore Qalandars and Perth Scorchers. The tournament carried a prize purse of US$1 million.
