GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Imran Tahir said criticism of his appointment as captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors helped inspire him to achieve success in the just concluded Caribbean Premier League.
The 43-year-old South African oversaw Amazon Warriors’ first-ever capture of the regional T20 title when he led them to a crushing nine-wicket win over four-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders in the final here on Sunday.
Amazon Warriors had yet to be successful in five previous trips to the final, the first coming back in 2013 in the tournament’s inaugural year.
“A lot of people said many negative things before I came,” an emotional Tahir said following the final at the Guyana National Stadium.
“Coming into the competition, everyone [was] sending jokes that I become a captain, so those things motivated me, so I want to thank the people who said that.
“I also want to thank my family and all the players’ families. They have been on the road with us. It’s been a great journey, an extraordinary journey.”
He added: “It’s been a great experience playing for this beautiful franchise and for these beautiful people who always come and support us. I am just really grateful to the Almighty.”
Tahir grabbed two wickets in the final to take his tally for the tournament to 18, just behind the leading wicket-taker – fellow South African Dwaine Pretorious, who spearheaded the Amazon Warriors attack.
Amazon Warriors also boasted the tournament’s two leading run-scorers, West Indies one-day captain Shai Hope amassing 481 runs at an average of 53 and 21-year-old Pakistani left-hander Saim Ayub gathering 478 at an average of 43.
Fittingly, Hope and Saim combined in an entertaining 84-run, unbroken second-wicket stand to guide Amazon Warriors to victory in the final.
“Since we started from St Lucia, we had the belief. We always get into the semis and finals and then [not won the title],” Tahir said.
“We just worked very hard. Results would never be in our hands, but we knew we were gelling well from the day we arrived, even though we never found an opener. This is the beautiful thing about our team culture.
“I’m just really grateful to every player; they gave their hearts out, especially in the last two games. We played like we had never played before. They made my job easier.”
While praising the league’s organizers, Tahir said the title conquest was one of the highlights of his playing career.
“If I told you this is one of the greatest achievements I have, then obviously this is an extraordinary moment,” he said.
“And playing in CPL for the last six years, I want to thank CPL and how they organized this league – it has been beautiful and unbelievable. Perfect competition.”
and then 