Tahir five-for sends Guyana Amazon Warriors to top spot

Spin duo puts Guyana in control

Imran Tahir produced a match-defining five-wicket haul as Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated St Lucia Kings to move to the top of the Caribbean Premier League standings. Tahir was supported by CPL debutant Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with the pair combining for eight wickets at a cost of only 30 runs.

The performance with the ball dismantled the St Lucia batting effort and gave Guyana the platform it needed to complete a decisive victory. Tahir's experience and Mehidy's immediate impact ensured that the Kings could not build the substantial innings required to challenge the Warriors.

For Tahir, the five-for was a reminder of his enduring influence in franchise cricket. The veteran legspinner used his variations to keep the St Lucia batters under pressure, taking wickets regularly and preventing the innings from gathering momentum. His spell was the central act of a disciplined Guyana bowling display.

Mehidy makes immediate impression

Mehidy's contribution was equally significant. Playing his first CPL match, the Bangladesh allrounder joined Tahir in attacking the Kings' batting order and finished with three wickets. His arrival gave Guyana another reliable spin option and allowed the Warriors to maintain pressure from both ends of the innings.

The combined figures of eight for 30 told the story of the contest. St Lucia were unable to establish a partnership capable of carrying the innings deep, while Guyana's bowlers repeatedly found ways to break through. The result was a total that left the Kings vulnerable once the Warriors began their reply.

• Imran Tahir: five wickets.
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz: three wickets on his CPL debut.
• The Guyana spin attack: eight wickets for 30 runs combined.
• Guyana Amazon Warriors: victory and first place in the standings.

Sampson finishes the job

The Warriors' chase was completed in emphatic fashion, with Sampson's sixes providing the decisive finish. His clean striking removed any remaining uncertainty and ensured that Guyana converted its bowling advantage into a result rather than allowing St Lucia a route back into the match.

Those sixes also gave the victory a clear attacking finish. After the bowlers had reduced the Kings' scoring options, Sampson supplied the power needed to close the game efficiently. His contribution complemented the work of Tahir and Mehidy and underlined the balance within the Guyana side.

The match therefore belonged to Guyana in two distinct phases. First, Tahir and Mehidy controlled the innings with relentless wicket-taking. Then Sampson brought the chase to its conclusion with boundary-hitting that reflected the Warriors' command of the contest.

Top spot strengthens Guyana's position

Beyond the individual performances, the result carries important weight in the 2026 CPL campaign. Guyana Amazon Warriors moved to the top of the table, gaining the advantage that comes from combining a comprehensive win with outstanding bowling figures. The victory also demonstrated that the team can rely on both established leaders and new contributors.

Tahir's five-wicket haul provides the experience, while Mehidy's debut offers Guyana an encouraging addition to its spin resources. Sampson's finishing power adds another dimension to a side that showed it can win through control as well as aggression.

For St Lucia Kings, the defeat will be defined by the failure to withstand Guyana's spin attack. Their batters were unable to create the partnerships needed to protect the innings, and the subsequent six-hitting from Sampson brought the contest to a swift conclusion.

Guyana now takes the momentum from a commanding all-round performance, with Tahir's five-for, Mehidy's three wickets and Sampson's sixes combining to deliver the Warriors top spot.