Imran Tahir rolled back the years with a stunning five-wicket haul to guide Guyana Amazon Warriors to an emphatic 83-run victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a rain-affected CPL 2025 clash at North Sound. The win marked the Warriors’ second successive triumph, pushing them to second place on the table.
Chasing a stiff target of 212, the Falcons began aggressively, racing to 58 in just four overs. However, they lost openers Rahkeem Cornwall and Jewel Andrew, both dismissed by Dwaine Pretorius. Karima Gore’s quickfire 31 from 14 balls kept them in the contest, but once Romario Shepherd removed him in the fifth over, the innings faltered.
Enter Tahir, who at 46 showcased his class with a double-wicket maiden in the seventh over, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Imad Wasim. His clever variations triggered a middle-order collapse as the Falcons crashed from 77 for 3 to 116 for 8. Tahir finished with exceptional figures of 5 for 21, his best-ever in CPL, as the Falcons folded for 128 in 15.2 overs. Shepherd (2-16) and Pretorius (2-44) provided strong support.
Earlier, the Warriors posted a commanding 211 for 3. Rain halted play for nearly an hour after 5.5 overs, but Shai Hope anchored the innings with a superb 82 off 54 balls. After a steady start, Hope accelerated brilliantly, smashing 49 from his last 22 deliveries. He was well supported by Shimron Hetmyer, who blasted 65 from just 26 balls, featuring five sixes and five fours. The duo added 106 runs off only 44 balls for the third wicket.
Romario Shepherd provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 25 from eight deliveries, lifting the Warriors to a massive total. Their onslaught yielded 145 runs in the final nine overs, ensuring more than enough cushion for the bowlers.
