Scorchers snap Warriors’ winning streak in GSL

PROVIDENCE, Guyana:

The Perth Scorchers may have been eliminated from the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League T20 tournament, but they bowed out in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night, handing the Guyana Amazon Warriors their first loss with a thrilling 14-run victory in match 10 at the Guyana National Stadium.

Asked to bat first by the home side, the Scorchers laboured to a modest 135 all out in exactly 20 overs. But their bowlers produced an inspired defensive effort, defending the total by dismissing the table-topping Warriors for 121 in just 16.1 overs.

The Warriors, who had already secured their final berth with three consecutive wins, came out firing.

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Quentin Sampson raced to 47 runs in only 21 balls before Gurbaz was caught by Andre Fletcher at cover off Dian Forrester for a blistering 42 off 16 deliveries, featuring five sixes and two fours.

However, the wheels came off shortly after. Sampson was dismissed for three. Johnson Charles was bowled by Ashton Turner for 11, and the middle order crumbled as Mohammad Nabi five, Gudakesh Motie four, and power-hitter Romario Shepherd, seven, fell in quick succession.

All hopes rested on Hetmyer, who fought valiantly for 31 before being bowled by Agar, who finished with 2-29 off 2.1 overs.

Scorchers skipper Turner led the bowling attack with excellent figures of 3-20, while Sufyan Moqim chipped in with 2-18.

TORN APART

Earlier, the Scorchers’ batting lineup was torn apart by veteran off-spinner Mohammad Nabi and seamer Matthew Forde, who combined for six wickets.

Nabi returned miserly figures of 3-12 from four overs, while Forde struck early and finished with 3-21 off three.

At 78-8, Perth looked dead and buried. But Brody Couch and Dian Forrester staged a remarkable lower-order rescue act, putting on a 54-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

Couch smashed 43 off 30 balls with three sixes and four fours, while Forrester anchored the innings with an unbeaten 35 from 34 deliveries, dragging the Australian outfit to a defendable total.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors, already through to Saturday’s final, will now await the winner of Friday’s Qualifier between San Francisco Unicorns and Desert Vipers.