Falcons take down Warriors Khan, Joseph combine to hand Guyana franchise first CPL defeat

GEORGETOWN, Guyana:

Shadab Khan scored a boundary-studded cameo, and Alzarri Joseph ran over the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ top order to lead the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons to a comprehensive 65-run win in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Tuesday night.

Joseph snared four wickets – including the prized scalps of Shai Hope and Rahmanullah Gurbaz – to skittle out the Amazon Warriors for 117 in 14.2 overs, well short of the Falcons’ total of 182 for five at Providence Stadium in their top-of-the-table clash.

Joseph ended with figures of 4-41, Joshua James took 2-11, Sufyan Moqim claimed 2-18 and Khan 2-19.

The win propelled the Falcons to 13 points from their 10 games and helped them secure a place in Qualifier 1, with a more-than-likely rematch against the Amazon Warriors looming.

The Amazon Warriors, who have 12 points from seven games, need just one win from their three remaining matches to finish top of the table.

Having romped to six consecutive victories, the Amazon Warriors’ bowling unit seemed to be in full control with the Falcons stuck in first gear at 102 for two at the end of 14 overs.

But the dismissals of Amir Jangoo for a pedestrian 27 off 30 balls and Hasan Nawaz, who scored 36 off 27 balls, sparked a late assault spearheaded by Khan that saw the Falcons bludgeon 72 runs off the last five overs.

Captain Moeen Ali smashed Romario Shepherd for two sixes in the 18th over before being caught at short third man for 18 off 12 balls.

Fabian Allen hit Shamar Joseph for a six, and Khan inside-edged him to the fine-leg boundary for four in the 19th over that went for 19 runs.

Khan then finished the innings in superb style by clobbering Shepherd for three consecutive sixes and a four in the final over that leaked 26 runs.

Player-of-the-Match Khan scored an unbeaten 30 off just nine balls with three sixes and two fours, while Allen ended on 11 not out – the two sharing an unbroken partnership of 46 off 13 balls.