The Guyana Amazon Warriors opened their 2026 Caribbean Premier League campaign with a commanding six-wicket victory over the Jamaica Kingsmen at Sabina Park on Thursday. The Kingsmen, struggling to find form after consecutive losses, were dismantled by a disciplined spin attack that restricted them to a modest total of 117 all out with just two deliveries remaining in their innings.
Guyana’s decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends. Khary Pierre struck early to remove Shayan Jahangir, and Shamar Joseph dismissed Keacy Carty before the Powerplay concluded. Although Reeza Hendricks and Rovman Powell attempted to stabilize the innings with a 35-run partnership, the Kingsmen managed only 26 runs during the initial phase. Skipper Imran Tahir eventually broke the stand by removing both set batters, while Mohammad Nabi began his demolition of the lower middle-order. Nabi finished with impressive figures of 4-22, and with Glenn Phillips also claiming a wicket, the spinners accounted for eight of the ten Kingsmen dismissals.
In their pursuit of 118, the Amazon Warriors faced an early setback when debutant Mavendra Dindyal was dismissed for a golden duck. However, Shai Hope and Glenn Phillips quickly regained momentum with a 42-run partnership. Andre Russell provided a brief glimmer of hope for the hosts by taking two wickets in the final Powerplay over, removing Phillips for 28 and Shimron Hetmyer shortly after.
Hope remained composed, anchoring the chase with steady strike rotation and calculated aggression. He shared a crucial 51-run stand with Nabi, who contributed 19 runs before falling to Vitel Lawes. Hope ultimately reached an unbeaten 56, sealing the win with a powerful six off Hassan with 35 balls to spare. Brief scores: Jamaica Kingsmen 117 all out in 19.4 overs (Reeza Hendricks 40; Mohammad Nabi 4-22, Shamar Joseph 2-22, Imran Tahir 2-26) lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors 118/4 in 14.1 overs (Shai Hope 56*, Glenn Phillips 28; Andre Russell 2-12) by 6 wickets.
The Kingsmen managed just 26 runs in that phase before Reeza Hendricks looked to inject some fuel into the innings.
Hendricks and Rovman Powell shared a 35-run partnership but skipper Imran Tahir removed them both on either side of Hassan Khan’s dismissal, which marked Nabi’s first.
Russell made an impact with the ball, striking twice in the final Powerplay over to remove Phillips, who made a breezy 28, and Shimron Hetmyer.
Nabi then ran through the lower middle-order, the death knell for the Kingsmen coming in the form of Andre Russell’s dismissal as he chipped one back tamely.
