AMAZON WARRIORS CLAIM TOP SPOT WITH 53-RUN VICTORY OVER LAHORE QALANDARS

The Guyana Amazon Warriors maintained their unbeaten start to the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, securing a decisive 53-run victory over the Lahore Qalandars at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday night.

The result elevates the Amazon Warriors to the top of the five-team table with six points from three consecutive wins, while handing the Qalandars their first defeat of the campaign.

After being asked to bat first, the Amazon Warriors posted a competitive 164 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs as the innings began with a display of aggressive striking, as the hosts raced to a record-breaking 50 in just 2.5 overs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz spearheaded the early charge, compiling a rapid 65 off 35 deliveries, an innings that included six boundaries and five sixes.

Despite the early loss of opening partner Quentin Sampson, Gurbaz and Mohammad Haris, who contributed 34, constructed a 72-run partnership for the second wicket to maintain the scoring rate.

However, Gurbaz's departure in the tenth over precipitated a middle-order collapse. Lahore captain Michael Bracewell initiated the turnaround for his side.

Shimron Hetmyer was caught at backward point by Abdullah Shafique for 8 off Bracewell's bowling, and Rovman Powell was trapped lbw by the captain shortly after without scoring. With Mohammad Nabi falling for 2, the Warriors slipped to 121 for 5.

A late contribution from Romario Shepherd, who scored 29 with two sixes and a four, ensured the hosts set a challenging target.

Bracewell finished as the standout bowler for the Qalandars with economical figures of 2 for 18 from his four overs, while Mehran Mumtaz claimed two wickets but conceded 59 runs in his four-over spell.

In response, the Lahore Qalandars' chase faltered early and ultimately concluded at 111 all out in 17.2 overs.

The innings suffered an immediate setback with the early dismissals of Shamyl Hussain for 5 and Mohammad Naeem for a duck, reducing the score to 13 for 2.

Abdullah Shafique and Parvez Hossain Emon attempted to stabilise the run chase, forging a 29-run stand for the third wicket, with both batters scoring 21.

The recovery was short-lived as the Amazon Warriors' bowling attack consistently applied pressure. Left-arm orthodox spinner Gudakesh Motie dismantled the middle order, returning exceptional figures of 4 for 19 from four overs.

Motie's decisive spell included bowling Bracewell for 6 and dismissing incoming batter Delano Potgieter for a golden duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the Qalandars struggling at 65 for 6.

Farhan Yousaf offered the only subsequent resistance with a brisk 28 from 19 balls before also falling to Motie as Dwaine Pretorius provided effective support, helping to close out the innings to finish with 2 for 25 in 3.2 overs.

Despite the loss, the Lahore Qalandars remain in second place on the points table with four points from three fixtures.

The tournament structure dictates that the team finishing at the top of the league standings will secure direct entry into the final on August 1, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in a Qualifier on July 31.

Matches continue on July 27 with Desert Vipers facing the San Francisco Unicorns from 7:00 pm.

Photography from this match can be streamed with Smartframe and is available here: https://smartframe.com/image-library/global-super-league