Dwaine Pretorius’ all-round show bolsters Guyana Amazon Warriors to a thrilling win over Barbados Royals in CPL 2025

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Guyana Amazon Warriors delivered a commanding performance against the Barbados Royals in the 21st match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown on September 4th, 2025. Led by Dwaine Pretorius‘ exceptional all-round display, the Warriors secured a crucial four-wicket victory with just two balls to spare.

The Warriors’ bowling unit executed a disciplined strategy after winning the toss and electing to field first. Gudakesh Motie emerged as the standout performer with figures of 2 for 16 in his four overs, consistently applying pressure during the middle overs. The left-arm spinner’s economical bowling was crucial in restricting the Royals’ momentum, particularly during their recovery phase.

Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who has been the leading wicket-taker in CPL 2025 with 12 wickets in the tournament, contributed with 1 for 40 in his four overs, though he was more expensive than usual. Pretorius complemented the spin attack perfectly, delivering outstanding figures of 1 for 25 from his four overs. His tight bowling in the powerplay and death overs proved instrumental in keeping the Royals below a challenging total.

Despite a strong start from Brandon King, who struck an aggressive 39 off 27 balls with six fours and one six, the Royals found themselves struggling at regular intervals. The home side eventually posted 165 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs, with Rovman Powell‘s unbeaten 50 off 28 balls including six maximums providing late fireworks.

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Chasing 166, the Warriors faced early turbulence, losing four wickets for just 30 runs. Ben McDermott (9), Moeen Ali (0), Shimron Hetmyer (2), and Hassan Khan (2) all departed cheaply, leaving the visitors in a precarious position. However, the experienced duo of Shai Hope and Pretorius orchestrated a magnificent recovery through a crucial 89-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Pretorius played the innings of his life, crafting a masterful 53 off 34 balls studded with two boundaries and four towering sixes. The South African all-rounder, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution with both bat and ball, showcased his ability to handle pressure situations. His innings included some spectacular hitting, particularly during the middle overs when he targeted the spin bowlers effectively.

Dwaine Pretorius wins player of the match for his terrific all-round performance ⚡#Cricket #DwainePretorius #CPL

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 5, 2025

Hope provided the perfect foil with an unbeaten 62 off 49 balls, anchoring the chase with five fours and one six. Hope’s composed innings demonstrated his class under pressure, rotating the strike effectively while allowing Pretorius to play the aggressive role. Even after Pretorius was dismissed in the 14th over caught by Daniel Sams off Chris Green, Hope continued to guide the Warriors with support from Quentin Sampson, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 20 balls with two fours and two sixes.

The Warriors crossed the finish line at 170 for 6 in 19.4 overs, securing their third victory of the tournament and climbing to fourth position in the standings. The victory was particularly significant as it came after two consecutive defeats, helping the Warriors regain momentum in their campaign. For the Barbados Royals, this defeat extended their winless streak, leaving them at the bottom of the table with zero wins from five matches. The home side’s inability to defend a competitive total highlighted their ongoing struggles in CPL 2025, with their bowling attack failing to capitalize on the early breakthroughs they achieved.

Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Barbados Royals by 4 wickets in the last over thriller at Barbados 🌟#Cricket #CPL #ShaiHope

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 5, 2025

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