Many chances to secure their spot in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 final went abegging for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) on Wednesday night, as they suffered a shocking 15-run defeat at the hands of the Rangpur Riders.
For the first half of the game, the Amazon Warriors were in control, restricting the Bangladesh-based team to 117 in their 20 overs. However, the tides would turn in the second half of the game as Rangpur inflicted the same damage on the Warriors’ batting, to keep them far from their target.
As such, Captain Imran Tahir stepped up to face the music following the game, admitting to local media operatives that the Amazon Warriors’ batting in the game was poor.
An emotional Tahir said, “Look, simple as that, we played really poor. We’ve got a lot of international stars and the way we put up a performance like that, I think we have to look at ourselves in the mirror. It’s a big shame really. Cricket gave us everything and we forget where we come from, where we come from, what our rules were and then, we had an opportunity like that, being given all the facilities, the franchise being so kind. It’s really sad to see, playing home conditions, home crowd and you put up a performance like that. You have to put your hands up and be man enough.”
Admittedly, the Amazon Warriors made a few curious choices with their batting line-up, the rationale behind which the Captain later offered some clarity on.
“They had a lot of spin. We always knew if Romario had two overs of fast bowling he’s facing, he’s going to destroy everybody even if we need 30 in the last two overs. So, that was the plan, you know you always play cricket with a plan and stuff which nearly worked for us. If that ball could’ve gone for four Romario had a good chance, we’ve seen that in the past, but you cannot put the poor guy in a situation like that,” Tahir divulged about Shepherd heading to the crease at number 10.
“I know that’s his job and it’s our job, but I think it was the top five guys. They should’ve been there 15 overs and then it would’ve been easy,” he lamented.
Tahir further shared about their game plan after bowling out Rangpur, “You need a run a ball, simple as that. You have a good powerplay, 30-0, 40-0 and obviously, we just try a little bit different things, you know, send Pretorius as the opener. The challenge is just get the bat on the ball and just be relaxed about it, but I think we made too many mistakes.”
Though the Amazon Warriors lost Wednesday night’s game, there was still a chance of the local franchise making it into the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20 final on net run rate. As such, Tahir described the situation as ‘very lucky’ if the Warriors made it to the final.
The GAW Captain related, “Obviously, disappointed so many people; you know, I’m the type of guy I like to talk honestly and that’s honesty. So, going into the final, if we have the opportunity but I never want to depend on the results. You win the game, simple as that, you’re in the final. But now we have to wait and see. To be honest with you, I feel like we’ll be very lucky to get in the final.”
“I’m really, really sorry, on behalf of the team and myself, we should’ve done that very easily.”
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