Guyana Amazon Warriors were on Sunday night crowned the champions of the Caribbean Premier League for the first time as they defeated Trinbago Knight Riders by nine wickets in the final.

The hosts lifted the trophy before thousands of ecstatic fans on home soil following a comprehensive victory by nine wickets at a packed and colorful at the Guyana National Stadium.

The Warriors bowled out TKR out for 94 and then chased down the target off 14 overs.

Opener Saim Ayub led the chase with an unbeaten 52 off 41 balls while Shai Hope stroked an unbeaten run-a-ball 32, the pair anchoring the innings in an 84-run, unbroken second wicket stand. Hope ended the with 481 runs at an average of 53 to be named Player of the Tournament. Saim was just behind him on 478 runs at an average of 43.

Fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius, who ended as the leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets, had earlier set up the win with a devastating spell of 4-26.

Pretorious was supported by left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (2-7) and leg-spinner Imran Tahir (2-8). Keacy Carty top-scored with 38 but lacked support as openers Mark Deyal (16) and Chadwick Walton (10) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

“I am just really proud that I am the first captain of the first team to achieve this. I think this year we were more hungry than ever before. That’s the thing, if you want something really badly, it will happen for you – even though we lost our first qualifier,” said Guyana captain Imran Tahir.

-ENDS-