Bangladeshi all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz turned in another impressive individual performance in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), though his efforts were not enough to prevent Guyana Amazon Warriors from tumbling to a six-wicket defeat against Barbados Royals. The loss serves as a minor setback for Guyana as they prepare for their crucial first qualifier against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on 17 September, a side that previously handed them their opening defeat of the tournament.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Barbados immediately put Guyana on the back foot. Guyana experienced an early top-order collapse, losing three wickets for just 15 runs within the first three overs. Miraz joined Glenn Phillips at the crease to stabilize the innings, with the pair adding 23 runs before Phillips was dismissed for 24—what ultimately proved to be the highest individual score of the Guyana innings.
Miraz contributed 18 runs off 24 deliveries, including a boundary and a six, marking the third-highest score for his side. Resistance lower down the order was sparse until Romario Shepherd and Imran Tahir put together a late 31-run partnership, the largest of the innings. Shepherd was the last man out for 22 as Guyana were bundled out for a meager 99 runs in 18.1 overs. AM Ghazanfar and Johann Layne proved destructive with the ball, claiming three wickets apiece.
Defending a target of 100, Guyana managed early breakthroughs, reducing Barbados to 36 for 3. Miraz made an immediate impact during the final over of the powerplay, cleaning up South African star Quinton de Kock by shattering his off-stump. He struck again in the 12th over to remove Shadrack Descarte for 32, finishing his spell with figures of 2 for 25. Despite his efforts, Brandon King held the Barbados chase together, remaining unbeaten on 44 to guide his side past the target. Barbados reached 100 for 4 in 14.5 overs to comfortably seal the win.
Despite the team’s batting capitulation, Miraz continues to make headlines in his maiden CPL outing. The off-spinning all-rounder has taken an impressive nine wickets across just three matches, establishing himself as a vital asset for Guyana Amazon Warriors as they push toward the tournament final.
