CPL 2022: Barbados Royals become first finalists of the season


image-l8kifqh6Rahkeem Cornwall in action | PC: Twitter

Barbados Royals, on Tuesday (September 27) became the first finalists of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022 as they outfoxed Guyana Amazon Warriors by 87 runs in a high-scoring Qualifier 1 at Providence Stadium, Guyana. 

Rahkeem Cornwall was the star of the show for Barbados Royals. After playing a breathtaking knock of 54-ball 91 with the bat, the right-arm spinner picked two crucial wickets in his two-over spell to stifle Guyana Amazon Warriors completely. 

Chasing the humongous target of 196 runs, the Amazon Warriors never got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were put on the back foot.

Skipper Shimron Hetmyer, with 37 off 29 balls, was their highest run-scorer as the Amazon Warriors skittled out for just 108 runs in 17.4 overs.

Left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds was at his best with the ball as he wrecked the backbone of Guyana's batting lineup, picking a three-wicket haul while conceding just 17 runs in his three overs' spell. 

Rahkeem Cornwall and Mujeeb Ur Rahman bagged two wickets each while the likes of Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, and Hayden Walsh Jr. got one scalp apiece. 


Rahkeem Cornwall storm blows away Guyana Amazon Warriors

Invited to bat first, a whirlwind knock by Rahkeem Cornwall (54-ball 91) and Azam Khan (35-ball 52) powered Barbados Royals to a mammoth total of 195 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. 

Apart from Rahkeem Cornwall and Azam Khan's stormy innings, skipper Kyle Mayers also chipped in with the handy contribution of 26 runs at the top of the order. 

Romario Shepherd (2/29), Junior Alvin Sinclair (1/8), Imran Tahir (1/34), and Shakib Al Hasan (1/22) were the wicket-takers for Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Notably, this defeat does not eliminate Guyana Amazon Warriors from the tournament, as they will now head to the second qualifier where they will face the winner of the Eliminator match. 


Brief Score

Barbados Royals: 195/5 (20 Overs)

Rahkeem Cornwall 91 (54), Azam Khan 52 (35);
Romario Shepherd 2-29 (4), Junior Alvin Sinclair 1-8 (2)

Guyana Amazon Warriors: 108 (17.4 Overs) 

Shimron Hetmyer 37 (29), Shai Hope 16 (13);
Ramon Simmonds 3-17 (3), Rahkeem Cornwall 2-10 (2)

Barbados Royals won by 87 runs.


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