By Avenash Ramzan
After assessing the conditions during the initial exchanges in Qualifier Two against Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday evening, Jamaica Tallawahs Head Coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul felt a total of 150-160 was a good one to defend.
However, the Tallawahs, with some explosion at the end from centurion Shamarh Brooks and a no-nonsense Imad Wasim, got significantly more, finishing on 226-4, the highest CPL total at Providence.
It proved too steep a chase for the Warriors, who slipped to a 37-run defeat to end their campaign and prolong their wait for a maiden title in the 10-year history of the tournament.
“When we started we thought it was a good wicket and then we saw a bit up and down on the wicket and thought probably 150-160,” Chanderpaul told News Room Sport.
The former Guyana and West Indies captain said the “positive mindset” from Imad changed the complexion of the innings and brought momentum in the death overs.
The Pakistani all-rounder strode to the crease with Tallawahs 123-4 from 15.1 overs, and proceeded to blast 41* off 15 balls (4x4s, 3x6s). Imad and Brooks proceeded to pulverize the Warriors attack, adding 103 off the final 29 deliveries of the innings.
Brooks, who was dropped on five by wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, went on to stroke his maiden T20 hundred- 109* off 52 balls (7x4s, 8x6s).
“That (innings) was amazing,” Chanderpaul said.
“It was proper cricket shots. He was fluent and the shots were really amazing.”
Chanderpaul reckoned Brooks played the situation well, picking the gaps frequently and hitting the big shots when needed.
“And that was really, really good for us.”
Questioned whether it was mixed emotion to send the Warriors crashing out the tournament, Chanderpaul said: “Not really.”
“We came out and played as well as we can to make sure we win this match and the guys delivered tonight and we were able to come out on top.”
Chanderpaul added that the Tallawahs are in a good space ahead of the final, which starts at 19:00h.
“Definitely. We just have to make sure that everybody is well and ready to get on the park when the time comes.”
Both the Tallawahs and the Royals are looking for a third CPL title.
