GSL: Pretorius stars in Amazon Warriors’ dominant victory over Qalandars

The Guyana Amazon Warriors kicked off the inaugural Global Super League with an emphatic six-wicket victory over the Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday, thrilling their home fans with a clinical all-round performance in Providence.

The win, sealed with 12 balls to spare, showcased the Warriors’ depth and intent to make a strong statement in this groundbreaking competition.

After winning the toss, Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir elected to field first.

The decision paid immediate dividends as Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed the tournament’s first wicket in the second over, trapping Mirza Baig lbw.

However, Baig’s opening partner, Adam Rossington, counterattacked with a quick-fire 32, striking two sixes and three boundaries before being caught by Dwaine Pretorius.

Despite Rossington’s early aggression, the Qalandars struggled to maintain momentum as Tahir, Gudakesh Motie, and USA spinner Hassan Khan stifled the scoring with disciplined spells.

Tom Abell anchored the innings, but with regular wickets falling, Lahore’s progress remained muted.

The game-changing moment came in the penultimate over when Pretorius, already influential in the field with two catches, delivered a stunning display of death bowling.

The South African all-rounder ripped through the Qalandars’ lower order, picking up four wickets in the over, including Abell, Carlos Brathwaite, Asif Afridi, and Faheem Ashraf.

Pretorius ended with stellar figures of 4-21, leaving the Qalandars reeling at 121-9.

The collapse was completed in the next over as Salman Mirza was dismissed, setting the Amazon Warriors a modest target of 125.

Chasing 125, the Warriors’ innings mirrored the match’s earlier stages- steady but with moments of brilliance.

Shai Hope, in his typically assured style, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45 off 43 balls, ensuring the team remained on track despite a few hiccups along the way.

With 17 runs needed from 18 balls, the match hung in the balance until Mirza’s final over.

However, Keemo Paul provided the fireworks, smashing 20 runs in the over, including a towering six to finish on 27 from just 13 balls. The Warriors cruised home, sending the Providence crowd into jubilation.

Pretorius’ all-round heroics were instrumental in the Warriors’ victory. His four wickets in one over, coupled with two key catches, earned him the Player of the Match award.

The Amazon Warriors’ commanding win sets the tone for the Global Super League, establishing them as early favorites in the competition.

With a balanced team featuring star performers in both bowling and batting, they’ve already laid down a marker for the rest of the tournament.

The Qalandars, meanwhile, will look to regroup and address their late-innings collapse as they prepare for their next match in this highly anticipated league.