Falcons vs Amazon, 2nd Match at North Sound, CPL, Aug 30 2024 - Match Result

10:55pm And...breathe. Another humdinger, and it will take everyone some time to get over this, irrespective of your allegiance. The action in the CPL does not stop, though, and we will be back at it tomorrow, with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots taking on the Trinbago Knight Riders. Until then, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat), Thilak and Vairavan. Take care, folks!

Imran Tahir, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: It was a great game of cricket. We showed our character. We believed that anyone can finish the job and I am just really happy and pleased. We know he (Shepherd) can hit the ball and he did that for us last year as well. We have Keemo Paul, we have batting till no.9, even our no.9 came in and hit a six (tonight). We had a good start, we kept losing wickets but as I said, we showed our character and proved we can overcome any challenge. I want to thank everyone (the fans). Back in Guyana, everyone would be watching the game and will be proud. I want to thank them for their support, and that (playing in Guyana) is the best atmosphere.

Chris Green, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons captain: It is unfortunate to go down off the last ball. We could easily be sitting here two from two or one from two but unfortunately, we are none from two. Incredibly proud of the way we fought, got ahead of the game. We move forward from here. Amir is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He has had so much success in the CPL and loves bowling the hard overs. Every now and then, a result like that happens (when you bowl the hard overs). Watch this space in the next few matches, he will probably take a lot of wickets and not concede many runs. (Where they lost the game) You can find so many small moments in the game, but I don't really know. Maybe 5-10 runs short with the bat. Really good surface here, hard to stop set batters. With the ball, we missed our spots at the back end but full credit to Romario and Pretorius. He (Pretorius) got a little lucky with the inside edge but the shots over long off and cover, sometimes you just have to stand back and clap. Two losses (in such fashion), sick feeling in the stomach. But we have played some really good cricket. Still eight games left and if we apply our learnings, it will put us in a good place later on.

Gudakesh Motie, Player of the Match: Hard work pays off, have been working hard over the years and happy that I am getting the success now. Lovely to be back. A bunch of amazing guys and happy to be with the team. (On his batting role) Not a pinch-hitter. It is a team decision. I know I have the ability to strike the ball. Working hard at the moment and want to take it on a game-to-game basis. I was not nervous, I know the capability of my teammates. On the last ball, I was a bit nervous. He (Amir) put it right in the slot and made it easier for us.

10:37pm Proper carnage and chaos at the end. But Pretorius was a picture of calmness and composure, even as Amir, an experienced international bowler, crumbled under the weight of expectation. With five balls left, the Warriors needed 16 but two boundaries, both of them conceded in areas where there were no fielders, set in motion a remarkable turnaround - signed, sealed and delivered ultimately with a crushing blow.

Prior to that mayhem, Shepherd has caused his own share of carnage, smashing 32 off 16 and keeping the Warriors in the hunt, massively helped by being dropped when he had scored just a solitary run. None of the others really got into any sort of rhythm, even though Hope scratched around for 41 off 34. The Warriors, thus, might feel they have gotten out of jail here, and that, as cliche as it sounds, is what champions do. They win even when they are not quite at their best.

Another steep learning curve for the Falcons. They have now come agonizingly close on successive days. Tonight, though, might sting a little more because they had the game within their grasp, especially when five balls were left. Their planning and execution, especially in the last over, left a bit to be desired. That aside, their left-arm-spin pair bowled superbly and ensured they had control of the game for much of the second innings. It could not come to pass in the end, but the Falcons will take a lot from this experience, and will hope to utilize it positively moving forward.

Four needed off the last ball. What does Amir bowl?

16 off 6. Amir to bowl. Pretorius on strike. This is going to go down to the wire. Who are you backing?

Joseph to try his luck with the willow now. Springer goes around the wicket

29 off 12. The Warriors continue to fight. Springer to bowl the penultimate over. Pretorius on strike

Amir to bowl the 18th. 47 needed off 18. Amir will likely bowl this over and the last. Shepherd on strike