Hetmyer’s unbeaten 102 goes in vain as Jamaica overhaul 207 to eliminate table-toppers Amazon Warriors
Rovman Powell produced a blistering late assault as Jamaica Kingsmen chased down 207 to beat Guyana Amazon Warriors by five wickets in Qualifier 2 on Friday and book a place in the Caribbean Premier League final.
Shimron Hetmyer’s magnificent unbeaten 102 from 45 balls, featuring eight sixes, appeared to have put Guyana in control after they posted 206 for seven. But a succession of crucial partnerships and Powell’s explosive finish carried the Kingsmen home with two balls to spare.
The result completed a remarkable turnaround for the Kingsmen, who are playing their first CPL season, while ending the campaign of the league’s top-ranked side.
Jamaica’s chase began strongly as Maaz Sadaqat and Kirk McKenzie (34) added 42 in only three overs. Sadaqat fell to Dwaine Pretorius for a 17-ball 41 which contained three sixes and five fours. McKenzie and Keacy Carty steadied the innings with a 48-run stand before Imran Tahir dismissed McKenzie.
Carty then combined with Saim Ayub for 62 from 41 balls, keeping the required rate within reach. Saim’s dismissal in the 16th over brought Powell to the crease with Jamaica needing 55 from 29 balls.
Powell initially took his time before attacking Khary Pierre, hitting two sixes in the 17th over. Carty was run out for 56 from 40 balls, but Powell continued the assault, taking another six off Tahir before smashing Shamar Joseph for a four and six in the 19th.
He finished unbeaten on 40 from 17 deliveries, sharing the Player-of-the-Match award with Hetmyer.
Earlier, Guyana stumbled early after Mohammad Haris and Mavendra Dindyal fell inside five overs. Hetmyer then transformed the innings, adding 96 with Shai Hope for the third wicket, with 55 of his runs coming from just 23 balls.
Hetmyer followed with a 65-run partnership with Quentin Sampson, who made 29 from 17, before reaching his second century of the season with a boundary from the final ball of the innings.
The Amazon Warriors, who had won eight of their 10 league matches, were eliminated after losing their third successive game.
The Kingsmen will face Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Sunday’s final.
