Rangpur Riders beat host Guyana in a low scoring thriller to stay alive
Rangpur Riders' players celebrate a wicket, RR
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Riders captain Nurul Hasan might have questioned his decision when his team was bundled out for a mere 117. The Warriors' bowling attack was relentless, reducing the Riders to 14/4 and then 27/5 with a string of early wickets.
Dwayne Pretorius was the standout performer for the Warriors, claiming 3/15 in a stellar display of precision bowling on a night where every run was invaluable.
The Riders’ innings was salvaged by Khushdil Shah, whose patient and determined half-century provided a lifeline. Shah’s 58 off 47 balls, laced with two fours and four sixes, helped push the Riders past the 100-run mark.
The Warriors’ chase mirrored the Riders’ struggles. Early wickets tumbled as Moeen Ali and Pretorius fell cheaply, and the dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer for a golden duck by Kamrul Islam Rabbi left the Warriors reeling at 7/3 and later 27/5.
Shai Hope offered resistance with 35 off 44 but couldn’t steer his team to safety. His dismissal by Rishad Hossain in the 18th over left the Warriors with their tailenders to finish the job. Romario Shepherd kept hopes alive by smashing a six off Khushdil in the penultimate over, reducing the target to 16 runs off the last six balls.
However, Shepherd’s valiant effort ended on the first ball of the final over when he was caught by Wayne Madsen off Rabbi. The Warriors were bowled out for 102, suffering their second defeat of the GSL campaign.
With this loss, the Warriors face an anxious wait to see if Thursday’s doubleheader results will favor their chances of making it to Friday’s inaugural GSL final.