Knight Riders secure place in CPL final

Trinbago Knight Riders secured their place in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final on Sunday with a seven-wicket win over Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 1 last night.

Trinbago Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bowl first, led by Waqar Salamkheil and Terrence Hinds, produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Guyana Amazon Warriors to 166 runs for seven wickets after 20 overs.

Amazon Warriors with another super innings from Saim Ayub, still had their lowest score this season batting first.

Knight Riders chase was headlined by Chadwick Walton, with the opener ensuring they never fell below the run rate and eventually guiding them across the finish line with a brilliant innings of 80 not out that ensured they progressed to the final.

Ayub continued his brilliant maiden CPL season with 49 as he again opened with Odean Smith, their 53-run partnership proving to be the foundation of Amazon Warriors' innings.

Despite losing leading run scorer Shai Hope in the ninth over, they reached 166 for seven, largely thanks to the late runs scored by Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie. Salamkheil and Hinds proved vital for the Knight Riders, taking wickets and containing runs.

Knight Riders raced away to 41-0 after four overs as Walton and Mark Deyal combined to give them an ideal start to the chase. Imran Tahir bowled himself and struck with his first ball, trapping Deyal LBW. Nicholas Pooran would come in next and forge a 51-run partnership with Walton before he was caught off the bowling of Dwaine Pretorius.

However, Walton would silence the Providence crowd with his innings, which included nine boundaries, supported by captain Kieron Pollard batting alongside him. Knight Riders would win by seven wickets to secure their place in Sunday's final.

Qualifier 2, between Amazon Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs, is scheduled for tomorrow evening at Providence Stadium.

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