10:41pm Right. That will be that from us for tonight. The CPL takes a day's break tomorrow but will return on Saturday, packed with action as the Jamaica Tallawahs take on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the morning fixture. Do join us for that too but until next time, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat) and Binoy George. Take care!

Sikandar Raza, St Lucia Kings captain: (On making the playoffs) Feeling a little relieved. Don't want to be in a situation where your last match is do-or-die. Always thought if we could contain our extras, we would have a better chance. (On Joseph) He is just bringing heat after heat. No substitute for pace. He adjusted his lengths really well. Couple of bad balls don't define your spell. We always ask him to bowl the critical overs of the game. He has been brilliant with the new ball but today we trusted him with the old ball. Wicket of Hope was crucial. We have been trying to get him (Rajapaksa) in but it has been difficult because of all the others that were playing well. Today, we had him (in the eleven) and it was a beautiful innings to watch. (On if bowling first is a no-brainer) Even when we were bowling, the last eight overs were tough. The dew was playing a huge factor. But if I was in the position of Guyana, having qualified in the top two, I would have batted first too because I would have wanted my batters and bowlers to know what they would be up against possibly (in the playoffs).

Imran Tahir, Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: (What went wrong) We wanted to be in a situation like that, to bat first and bowl when dew is around. Nothing to be worried about. I always feel we need to improve and that is how we should play every sport. I think we did not bowl well according to our plans. Very happy. We achieved what we wanted to achieve. Wanted to do something different. (On the batting) The pitch, even yesterday, played a bit up-and-down. It was the same today. Earlier, it was drier so the spinners were getting help. That is the challenge we have to face as a batter and a bowler. That is something we wanted to do our homework on and glad that it is out of the way. We now need to come up with a better plan. He (Ayub) has a bit of a groin issue but he should be fine. He needed a little bit of rest.

The Kings, by the way, have also now qualified for the playoffs, meaning that the Barbados Royals and the Jamaica Tallawahs have to fight for the one spot that remains. The Royals are two points ahead but have played a game more than the Tallawahs. So, this could go down to the wire.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, unsurprisingly, is the Player of the Match for his 49-ball 86. Here is what he has to say: (His reaction to Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan) We made a match out of nowhere, always good to give spectators their money's worth. Really happy we qualified (for the final). (Preparation for this game) Before the match, we spoke about playing a knock to remember and just go at it. (On the vibe in the camp) It has always been nice. The team has been quite united. We knew we needed two points out of the two games and happy that we got it before the last game. (On Kings' last match clashing with the Asia Cup final) The timings are different but hopefully I can keep up (with the scores in the Asia Cup final).

10:24pm The Kings did it at a canter really, and much of that was down to Rajapaksa, who returned to the eleven and played an astounding innings. When he was at the crease, the ball flew to all parts and he took the game on, eventually finishing with a 49-ball 86. Munro appeared a lot scratchier throughout his essay but clung on, stitching together a vital 132-run partnership with Rajapaksa - a stand that took the game beyond the Warriors.

Speaking of the Warriors, they took the bold decision of batting first, knowing that conditions to bat will be tougher and that bowling will get harder later in the evening. That can certainly not be faulted, considering they have already secured a top-two finish. What they will be disappointed with is how they fielded. Pretorius dropped the most high-profile chance (when Rajapaksa was on 38), while there were several other bits of sloppy fielding too. The good thing is that the Warriors, because of how this season has otherwise gone, can brush this aside as an anomaly and come back refreshed on Saturday.

17.3
4
Smith to Williams, FOUR, that will be that! The streak is over, and this last ball sums up the day the Warriors have had! Back of a length outside off stump. Williams dances down the track and hammers it to mid off, who misfields and ends up conceding the boundary!
17.2
1
Smith to Sikandar Raza, 1 run, short and wide outside off stump. Raza throws the plumbing at it and slashes it down to third man
17.1
1
Smith to Williams, 1 run, back of a length outside off. Williams uses the pace and runs it down to third man

Just four needed now. Surely this is the last over of the game?

END OF OVER:
17 | 13 Runs | SLK: 164/3 (4 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.64, RRR: 1.33)

  • Sean Williams3 (5b)
  • Sikandar Raza11 (5b)
  • Gudakesh Motie2-0-28-0
  • Imran Tahir4-0-34-1
16.6
1
Motie to Williams, 1 run, full outside off stump. Williams gets down on one knee early and sweeps it along the carpet to deep backward square leg
16.5
1
Motie to Sikandar Raza, 1 run, full on leg stump. Raza presses forward and flicks it down the ground to long on
16.4
4
Motie to Sikandar Raza, FOUR, Length delivery outside off that sticks in the surface. Raza advances, holds his shot long enough and bludgeons it towards long off. Shepherd makes a hash of it and lets in four
16.3
4
Motie to Sikandar Raza, FOUR, short, wide and put away! Proper buffet ball and Raza sits back in his crease before belting it over extra cover for four!
16.2
0
Motie to Sikandar Raza, no run, length on leg stump. Raza comes forward and defends

Around the wicket

16.1
3b
Motie to Williams, 3 byes, Smith just about manages to save it! Length delivery fired down the leg side. Williams misses his reverse sweep and Azam cannot gather either. Smith gives chase from short fine leg, misses his attempt to pull it back twice before the ball inadvertently hits his foot and stops itself

Motie is back. Kings need 17 off 24. Over the wicket to Williams

END OF OVER:
16 | 12 Runs 1 Wkt | SLK: 151/3 (17 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 9.43, RRR: 4.25)

  • Sikandar Raza2 (1b)
  • Sean Williams2 (3b)
  • Imran Tahir4-0-34-1
  • Keemo Paul4-0-39-1
15.6
2
Imran Tahir to Sikandar Raza, 2 runs, huge appeal, not given! Reviewed instantly! Full on off stump. Raza shuffles across and tries the paddle first up. Seems to get a bit of bat (or glove) on it and the ball trickles away into the fine leg region. The Kings, though, are adamant there is no bat or glove involved and review for the lbw. Replays come up, and it confirms that Raza gloved it. Had he not, it would have been very close!

Raza in at 5

Kings 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st5C MunroJ Charles
2nd132C MunroPBB Rajapaksa
3rd12SC WilliamsC Munro
4th21SC WilliamsSikandar Raza