END OF OVER:20 | 2 Runs 2 Wkts | BR: 178/8 (4 runs required, RR: 8.90)
- Roelof van der Merwe1 (1b)
- Gudakesh Motie4-0-38-2
- Romario Shepherd4-0-48-1
That concludes what has been an excellent game of cricket. Thanks for tuning in, we'll be back again soon. Till then here's Ashish Pant signing off on behalf of Harshith Gowda. Ciao!
Imran Tahir: I think he [Motie] achieved everything. I told him that I have all the belief in you and you can do this. I wanted to give him confidence and I am really pleased for him. He can bowl anywhere, even if it is the last over. [On Ayub] Fantastic player, very happy and pleased to have him in the squad. We want him longer. He can play shots all around. He got the reward. I have been in the group for last couple of years and that helps. We asked each that we have to respect our culture, work hard and enjoy each other's success. I have a lot of options, and I am a very lucky captain. Everything is coming my way. [On Sinclair and Paul's fielding] That shows that we were all aware. Today we were under the pump but such days happen. Rovman in was always going to be tough for us. Everyone is chipping and that is what is helping us.
Rovman Powell: It is simple, once you get one or two off the first two balls, the game is yours. But those things happen, we'll be better as a team. The Guyana team was 10-15 runs short. It was a decent wicket. They attacked our spinners. We just have to keep on improving, man. [Brathwaite] He bowled brilliantly. That's the best way to bowl in the back end of the competition. They bowled so well with so many fielders in the circle. [On his run out] He [Sinclair] was a bit closer to the circle than I thought. I wanted to start the next over and close the game, but those things happen.
Griff: "The last ball of GAW resulted in an all run 4 runs. Royals lived to regret that big time."
Gudakesh Motie: I want to say thanks to Ayub. The pitch wasn't helping the spinners much so I tried bowling into the pitch. I saw him batting outside leg stump the last two balls and was was just aiming at the white line.
Excellent gesture from Ayub.
Saim Ayub is the Player of the Match: I just always want to follow my process and believe in what I did in practice. Keep calm and give your 100%. That kind of pitch you have to get set, it doesn't matter if you start slow. If you get set, you can turn it over. I am really enjoying the environment. It's the spirit the team. But before I go, I want to hand this Man of the Match to Motie who bowled that final over.
1.34pmOh, what a game that was. Royals had this one in the bag, but Gudakesh Motie delivered a stunning last over when he was defending only five runs. And with this win, Guyana Amazon Warriors have zoomed to the top of the table. Things continue to get tougher for Royals. After Cornwall and Mayers fell, Evans kept the chase on track with a 27-ball 44. Powell then smashed a 19-ball 39 before getting run out. Greaves and Brathwaite got the side as close as possible but Amazon Warriors turned out to be too good in the end. Royals needed six to win off the final over with Brathwaite and Greaves going strong. But he conceded just two runs, picked two wickets to send his side to a three-run win.
JP Greaves c Smith b Motie 16 (14b 2x4 0x6) SR: 114.28
Four to get, two left. Oh, this is close.
Van der Merwe
CR Brathwaite c Paul b Motie 12 (7b 2x4 0x6) SR: 171.42
Royals only need 6 runs in 6 balls. Who'll bowl the final over? Wow, it's Motie
END OF OVER:19 | 12 Runs | BR: 176/6 (6 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.26, RRR: 6.00)
- Carlos Brathwaite12 (6b)
- Justin Greaves16 (10b)
- Romario Shepherd4-0-48-1
- Dwaine Pretorius4-0-24-2
Royals need 18 runs in 12 balls.
END OF OVER:18 | 12 Runs | BR: 164/6 (18 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.11, RRR: 9.00)
- Justin Greaves15 (9b)
- Carlos Brathwaite1 (1b)
- Dwaine Pretorius4-0-24-2
- Romario Shepherd3-0-36-1
Royals need 30 runs in 18 balls. The run rate is not the problem. Question is do they have enough fuel in the tank?
END OF OVER:17 | 19 Runs 1 Wkt | BR: 152/6 (30 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.94, RRR: 10.00)
- Justin Greaves4 (4b)
- Carlos Brathwaite0 (0b)
- Romario Shepherd3-0-36-1
- Dwaine Pretorius3-0-12-2
Carlos Brathwaite did it with the ball, can he do it with the bat?
R Powell run out 39 (19b 3x4 3x6) SR: 205.26