It was another disappointing outing for Shakib Al Hasan in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), continuing a poor run of form in this year’s tournament. Having bowled only a single over in previous matches, Shakib delivered two overs on Saturday, conceding 16 runs without a wicket, before falling for just 8 runs with the bat. The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons also endured a heavy defeat, losing by 83 runs as Imran Tahir’s five-wicket haul inspired the Guyana Amazon Warriors to victory.
Playing at the Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on 22 August, Guyana amassed an imposing total of 211 after electing to bat. Antigua’s bowlers struggled badly against Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer. Although Guyana lost opener Ben McDermott early for 9 and then their second wicket on 64 in the 11th over, Hope and Hetmyer dominated the latter stages of the innings, adding 147 runs in the remaining 9.2 overs.
When McDermott was dismissed for 8 and Kevlon Anderson followed for 22 off 25 balls, there were doubts about how far Guyana’s total would go. Those doubts were emphatically answered as Hope and Hetmyer put on a blistering 106-run partnership from just 44 balls. Hope, after a slow start, accelerated superbly to make 82 off 54 deliveries with 6 fours and 5 sixes. Hetmyer smashed 65 off 26 with 5 fours and 5 sixes, while Romario Shepherd added a late cameo of 25 off just 8 balls. Shepherd and Hetmyer combined for 41 runs in the final two overs.
For Antigua, Imad Wasim, Jayden Seales and Obed McCoy took one wicket each. Shakib remained wicketless with figures of 0 for 16 from 2 overs. All-rounder Shamar Springer had a torrid time, conceding 61 runs from his 4 overs – the most expensive spell ever by an Antigua bowler – without taking a wicket.
In reply, Antigua lost both openers early but raced to 41 in just 2.2 overs thanks to an aggressive start from Karima Gore. Any hopes of a revival faded when Gore fell for 31 off 14 balls, the highest score of the innings. After his dismissal, wickets tumbled regularly. Shakib made only 8 off 7 balls, while Bevon Jacobs scored 26 and Fabian Allen added 22; no other batter made a notable contribution.
Antigua were bowled out for 128 in only 15.2 overs against Tahir’s mesmerising spin. The former South African leg-spinner finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 21 from 4 overs. Dwaine Pretorius and Romario Shepherd supported well, taking two wickets each.