Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Imran Tahir praised the team’s blend of experience and youth after they maintained their unbeaten start to the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a seven-wicket victory over Saint Lucia Kings at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.
Tahir credited the Warriors’ familiarity with one another and experience playing in the Caribbean for their composed performance, noting that many of the players have been together through the Global Super League (GSL) and previous CPL campaigns.
The captain also highlighted the contribution of young Mavendra Dindyal, who produced his maiden CPL half-century and shared a crucial 79-run opening partnership with experienced New Zealand international Glenn Phillips.
Tahir said the innings was particularly impressive given Dindyal was playing only his second CPL match and faced the challenge of senior fast bowler Matthew Forde, who was moving the ball both ways.
“He’s playing his second game in CPL, so a lot of pressure. Forde was bowling to him and he’s a senior bowler, swinging the ball both ways,” Tahir said.
However, Dindyal showed composure to overcome the challenge and play a key role in setting up the successful chase.
Tahir also singled out Phillips for the role he played in helping the young Guyanese batter settle at the crease.
“That’s Glenn Phillips’ job, being a senior player, giving him confidence in how he can build his innings,” Tahir explained, “That’s where the senior players come into the picture, trying to help the youngsters. I think that’s what he did brilliantly today.”
The Warriors’ batting depth once again proved important, with Shimron Hetmyer and Quentin Sampson finishing the chase in emphatic fashion. The pair smashed 35 runs from just 10 deliveries to seal victory.
Despite the win, Tahir admitted the Warriors could have completed the chase more efficiently, suggesting there remains room for improvement as the tournament progresses.
“For us, I think as a group, we really take pride in ourselves and we know we’re representing Guyana, we’re representing the badge and we’re representing ourself. We don’t want to take things for granted and it’s really nice to see we’re gelling really well, everybody’s trying to do their job. It’s really nice to see as a captain,” the GAW skipper added about his team.
The victory keeps the Amazon Warriors unbeaten as they head into their third fixture of the season in Antigua and Barbuda. The Guyanese franchise will battle hosts, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Sunday, August 23 from 19:00hrs.
The post Tahir praises Dindyal, Phillips after Warriors’ 2nd win appeared first on Guyana Times.
