The Guyana Amazon Warriors are within touching distance of the top of the Caribbean Premier League standings after extending their perfect start to five matches with an eight-wicket victory over the Jamaica Kingsmen at Providence.
Friday night’s win moved the Warriors to 10 points, just one behind leaders Antigua and Barbuda Falcons despite playing four fewer matches.
The Warriors also strengthened their already commanding net run rate to +2.314, the best in the competition,while beginning their five-match home stretch in convincing fashion.
For Jamaica, the defeat has added pressure to their playoff campaign. The Kingsmen remain third with eight points but have played nine matches and can reach a maximum of only 10.
Teams immediately below them still have opportunities to overtake them.
During the match, the Warriors made light work of Jamaica’s 159 for seven, reaching 160 for two in 17.2 overs with 16 deliveries remaining.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the chase with 54 from 35 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Mavendra Dindyal supplied the early aggression, striking four sixes in a 17-ball 33 as the opening pair added 46 in fewer than five overs.
After Gurbaz departed with the Warriors comfortably placed at 114 for two, captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer completed the chase without further loss.
Hope finished unbeaten on 39, while Hetmyer struck 30 not out from 17 deliveries.
Earlier, Jamaica appeared in danger of falling well short of a competitive total after slipping to 83 for five in the 13th over.
Dwaine Pretorius removed Kirk McKenzie and Keacy Carty, while Khary Pierre also picked up two wickets.
Jamaica captain Rovman Powell was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
Hassan Khan rescued the innings with an unbeaten 62 from only 29 deliveries, launching six sixes to lift the Kingsmen to 159.
His late assault gave Jamaica something to defend, but the Warriors’ top order ensured the contest never became close.
Guyana will now face the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Providence on Sunday, with victory potentially carrying the unbeaten Warriors to the top of the table.
