@Pretorius tried to play a sweep shot vs TKR in CPL 2025
On 7th September 2025, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 presented a thriller match at Providence Stadium, Guyana, in which the Guyana Amazon Warriors won a dramatic 3-wicket match with only one ball to spare against the Trinbago Knight Riders. The 23 rd game of the competition was an exhibition of firework batting, controlled bowling and a game that had a lot of stake, leaving the spectators on their toes to the last ball. In this report, the author examines the most notable events, best performances, and stratagems that characterized this unforgettable conflict.
Match Overview:
The Guyana Amazon Warriors turned out to be the victors in the toss and they decided to bowl first, an aspect that preconditioned a very close game. Trinbago Knight Riders put up an impressive 167/5 in their 20 overs with a highly explosive 54 off 18 balls by Kieron Pollard leading. The Warriors responded by running down the target, and completing at 168/7 after 19.5 overs with Dwaine Pretorius being the night hero. The win boosted the playoff chances of the Warriors as it ranked them fourth in the CPL 2025 rankings, whereas the Knight Riders, even after the loss, was still safe at the second position.
First Innings: Trinbago Knight Riders Batting:
Knight Riders innings' started on a tentative note since they were requested to bat. The bowlers of the Warriors, led by Romario Shepherd and Moeen Ali, put an early pressure on scoring limiting the rate.Alex Hales was dismissed by Shepherd and Nicholas Pooran was removed by Moeen Ali leaving Knight Riders at 40/3 after the powerplay. The spin twins of Moeen and the captain Imran Tahir had further closed the screws as they only conceded 18 runs within the following four overs with Moeen ending at a tight 1/11 on his four overs.
Darren Bravo (33 off 35) offered a certain stability but it was the explosive arrival of Kieron Pollard that changed the innings. With a score of 100/4 after 16 overs, Pollard opened up, and crushed 54 runs on a total of 18 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. His half-century of 17 balls took the least time ever in the CPL 2025 season; including a 103-meter six off Tahir and a 21-run over off Shepherd. A late spurt by Pollard aided by 29 off 34 by Keacy Carty, pushed the Knight Riders to a fearsome 167/5.
Second Innings: Guyana Amazon Warriors' Chase
In pursuit of 168, the Warriors started off with early antagonisms, as two wickets were lost during the powerplay. But Shai Hope (53 off 46) and Shimron Hetmyer (49 off 30) took the pace with an important partnership. The composed knock of hope consisted of 3 fours and 3 sixes which was countered by aggressive strokeplay of Hetmyer to maintain the run rate needed. Their absconding of 16th over with 38 runs to be achieved on 18 balls placed the Warriors in a flak position.
In comes Dwaine Pretorius whose all round exploits characterised the match. Pretorius was posed with 19 off the last two overs but hit Andre Russell with two successive sixes making it 12 off the last over. With two men needed to chase with the final over tense and needing 9 to win, Pretorius dealt with Pollard with a huge six over wide long-on and secured the victory without loss, having made 26 off 13 balls. His calmness in the time of the pressure won him the Player of the Match award.
Key Performers:
- Dwaine Pretorius (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Pretorius has been the best player with the ball & bat, and with 1/26 he has the highest payoff, and with 26 off 13 balls he is still unbeaten, (two decisive sixes). His overall influence was instrumental in winning.
- Kieron Pollard (Trinbago Knight Riders): Pollard hit a masterclass of power-hitting on 54 off 18 balls but he was unable to save the sum.
- Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana Amazon Warriors): 49 and 53 respectively, Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were the backbone of the pursuit, setting the stage of the finishing act by Pretorius.
- Moeen Ali (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Moeen scored 1/11 in four overs that helped in limiting the Knight Riders in the middle overs.
Tactical Insights:
It was also strategic that the Warriors decided to bowl first because there was the dew factor that since batting was easier during the second innings, Pretorius noted after the match. Their spinners, Moeen and Tahir, utilized the circumstances to choke the middle order of the Knight Riders, but this was challenged by Pollard who came in later. In the case of the Knight Riders, Sunil Narine (2/12) and Akeal Hosein (2/35) bowled closely, but their failure to keep in Pretorius during the death overs cost them.
Match Significance:
The win was fundamental to the Guyana Amazon Warriors, which advanced to the fourth position in the CPL 2025 ranking, only a goal behind the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, and three remaining matches. The victory showed their pursuit under pressure and solidified their playing credentials in the playoffs. To the Knight Riders, who were already in the playoffs, the defeat was a wakeup call to the narrowness of profit margins in T20 cricket, in spite of Pollard.
Conclusion:
The CPL 2025 match between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Trinbago Knight Riders was a classic T20 event with huge hits, close bowling and tense ending. Dwaine Pretorius late antics were more heroic than the bang Kieron Pollard had, which led to the victory of the Warriors in a game that will be remembered as one of the best played during the season. With the CPL 2025 playoffs at hand, the outcome highlights the strength of the Warriors and the power of the Knight Riders and preconditions the more exciting confrontations.
Brief Scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 167/5 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 54, Darren Bravo 33, Dwaine Pretorius 1-26) lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors 168/7 in 19.5 overs (Shai Hope 53, Shimron Hetmyer 49, Dwaine Pretorius 26; Sunil Narine 2-12) by 3 wickets.