Tanvir’s cameo leads Warriors to fourth win

BASSETERRE, St Kitt's (CMC):

Sohail Tanvir's blistering 37 from just 20 balls anchored the Guyana Amazon Warriors to their fourth victory in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with an exciting four-wicket win over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots here Tuesday night.

Chasing 169 after the Patriots were restricted to 168 for seven in their 20 overs, Tanvir smashed three sixes and two fours to lead the Warriors to 169 for six with just one ball remaining.

The win moved the Warriors to second in the table on eight points with four wins and two losses, behind the Trinbago Knight Riders, who have a similar record but a better net run rate.

Requiring 19 runs to win from the final two overs, Tanvir smashed fast-bowler Sheldon Cottrell's first ball of the 19th over for six over square leg and added another over midwicket in an over that cost 16 runs.

The Patriots would be disappointed not to have run out Tanvir or Chris Green in the final over, having had three clear-cut chances, which allowed the Warriors to scamper three runs and secure victory.

Earlier, captain Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, who finally found his nick, had looked on their way to guiding Patriots to a formidable total after carrying the score to 62-0 after the powerplay.

During his 40-run knock, Gayle became the first batsman in the history of the CPL to score 2,000 runs.

But once Gayle was removed by Keemo Paul, Imran Tahir ran riot through the Patriot's middle order to help the Warriors take control of the contest.

He accounted for the wickets of Lewis (28), Brandon King (3) and Devon Thomas (13) in quick succession, to leave the Patriots stuttering on 97 for four in the 13th over.

However, Anton Devcich, who made a quick-fire 35 from just 24 balls, and Ben Cutting, who stroked an unbeaten 19 from nine balls, helped the Patriots to a respectable total.

Tahir was the best bowler, finishing with figures of 4-22 from his four overs.

In their run chase, the Warriors found themselves in early trouble, losing the wickets of Chadwick Walton and Luke Ronchi early on.

Jason Mohammed came to the rescue, though, scoring 36 from 25 balls to help resuscitate the chase, before Tanvir's heroics guided them to victory.