Bangladeshi off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz continued his fine form in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), delivering another standout performance with the ball. However, his individual heroics were overshadowed by a severe top-order batting collapse, which handed Guyana Amazon Warriors a comprehensive six-wicket defeat at the hands of Barbados Royals.
Guyana was asked to bat first after losing the toss and found itself in early trouble, slumping to 15 for 3 within the first three overs. Miraz joined Glenn Phillips at the crease to initiate a recovery effort, adding 23 runs before Phillips was dismissed for 24. Phillips’ modest score surprisingly proved to be the highest individual effort in the entire Guyana innings.
The middle order failed to build any meaningful resistance against a disciplined bowling attack. Guyana’s third-highest individual contributor managed just 18 runs from 24 deliveries, striking a four and a six. Lower-order resilience offered a brief glimmer of hope when Romario Shepherd and Imran Tahir forged a 31-run partnership—the highest stand of the innings. Shepherd was eventually the last man dismissed for 22, as Guyana collapsed to a meager 99 all out in 18.1 overs. Spin bowler AM Ghazanfar and seam bowler Johann Layne led the damage for Barbados, taking three wickets apiece.
Defending a total of 100, Guyana attempted to apply early pressure and reduced Barbados to 36 for 3. Miraz led the fightback, breaching the defense of South African star Quinton de Kock in the final over of the powerplay to shatter his off-stump. He struck again in the 12th over, removing Shadrack Descarte for 32 to complete figures of 2 for 25 from his allotted overs.
Despite Miraz’s efforts, Brandon King anchored the chase for Barbados, remaining unbeaten on 44 to guide his team across the line. Barbados reached 100 for 4 in 14.5 overs to comfortably claim victory.
The result serves as a timely warning for Guyana Amazon Warriors as they prepare for their upcoming first qualifier against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on 17 September, where a place in the CPL final is on the line. The Falcons previously handed Guyana their first defeat of the group stage, making top-order improvement an urgent priority. Miraz, meanwhile, has established himself as a focal point of Guyana’s attack, accumulating nine wickets in just three matches at an impressive economy rate. While his bowling form remains a major boost, Guyana will need their batting lineup to step up if they hope to secure a spot in the final.
