The biggest match of the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League will be played at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence this evening from 19:00h Eastern Caribbean time.
Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on Trinbago Knight Riders in the championship clash, and Captain Imran Tahir and Kieron Pollard are confident men heading into the final. Tahir noted that the injured Keemo Paul will undergo a fitness assessment before the game, and it will be confirmed on the day, whether or not he is playing.
From a TKR’s perspective, everyone is fit and ready to play, except Martin Guptill who suffered a little niggle on Wednesday last.
TKR have played four CPL finals, and emerged champions in all while Warriors played five final and lost all. Last year, Pollard and his men finished last, and going to a final this year is great.
“It would be great. It is something that has eluded us for the last couple years. We did not have the best of seasons, last year finishing at the bottom of the table and watching everyone backed in their glory. I think, for us we went ahead and stuck to our plans, and being able to get to the final now, it would be a magnificent feat for us as a franchise and our supporters around the Caribbean, so we are looking forward for a good game tomorrow, and let’s see what happens in the end,” Pollard told media operatives at a press conference at Pegasus Suites, on the eve of the final.
TKR are a star studded team, and according to Pollard that is good for the team.
“Headaches and selection is something we are accustomed to. Being West Indies captain around the world. What is good is that some point in time, that everyone put up their hand in this campaign. Going into the final and having that selection headache is great for us as a team.”
As it relates to the pitches, Pollard was pleased with conditions on offer. “The pitches and the conditions have been great throughout the Caribbean. A lot of work has been done before the tournament, and that is not something we could have said before the tournament.”
To the fans: “expect a good game of cricket. That is what we try to do around the Caribbean. We try to entertain people and the wider world of good cricket, and tomorrow night will be no different, and we are looking forward to that,” Pollard said.
Meanwhile, Warriors skipper, Tahir said he is not worry about the unsettled opening pair for the Warriors. He noted that once players in the middle are contributing, he is unfazed.
“We supposed to have Gurbaz, and we have been struggling a bit, but no complains. We are satisfy, we just need to look at different options in our middle order. Everyone is chipping in, I am not thinking about that.”
Tahir, who has Guyana near to his heart, said it would be a big year for the Warriors to win a maiden CPL trophy.
“This is a big year behind this nation, and they are right behind us, and I want to say thanks for the support. We know how important it is to change a lot of things in the country, and kids are looking up to their heroes,” Tahir explained.
The 44-year-old Pakistani , who played International cricket for South Africa said the Warriors will give it everything to win.
“We are going to give everything we have and we are up for it. The win against Jamaica gave us a lot of confidence.”
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Saim Ayub, Hazratulla Zazai, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Shai Hope, Gudakesh Motie, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, and Junior Sinclair.
Trinbago Knight Riders squad: Martin Guptill; Mark Deyal; Nicholas Pooran; Lorcan Tucker (wicketkeeper); Kieron Pollard (Captain); Andre Russell; Sunil Narine; Akeal Hosein; Jayden Seales; Ali Khan; Waqar Salamkheil; Kadeem Alleyne; Jaden Carmichael, Terrance Hinds, Tom Curran, Chadwick Walton and Dwayne Bravo. (GTimes)