Imran Tahir Becomes First Overseas Bowler to Take 100 CPL Wickets
Imran Tahir, the 45-year-old captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors, has become the first overseas bowler to reach 100 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The milestone came in Amazon Warriors’ successful defense of 135 against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Providence Stadium.
Tahir’s achievement is a testament to his longevity and skill. He has been a key figure for Amazon Warriors since joining the franchise in 2016, leading them to their first CPL title last season. Despite facing an injury setback this season, Tahir returned to action and guided Amazon Warriors into the playoffs once again.
The veteran spinner credited his team’s success to the support of the Guyana crowd. “The support we get here from people is incredible,” Tahir said. “They are always here every single game and it’s sold out. As a professional sportsman, you want to play somewhere where you really enjoy and that’s what we felt over the years.”
Tahir’s 100th CPL wicket came at a crucial moment in the match. With Falcons chasing 135, Tahir dismissed Hassan Khan for 10, reducing them to 41 for 3. The spinner then trapped Kofi James for 27, further denting Falcons’ hopes.
Amazon Warriors’ batters also played a crucial role in the victory. Moeen Ali’s calculated 42 off 33 balls helped propel the team to 135 for 7. The English all-rounder targeted left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for a sequence of boundaries in the 19th over, changing the momentum of the match.
Meanwhile, Falcons captain Chris Green reflected on his team’s group-stage exit. Despite some promising performances, Green acknowledged that fielding and a lack of big runs let them down. However, he was encouraged by the emergence of young players like Jewel Andrew, Justin Greaves, and Shamar Springer.