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KABUL (SW): Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has created history at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with the tournament's first ever hat-trick.
The Brian Lara Stadium at Trinidad was ready for the 2016 CPL final re-match in this edition’s eliminator. Courtesy bold shows from Rashid Khan and Luke Ronchi, Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) got their revenge over Jamaica Tallawahs as the defending champions were knocked out of the tournament.
For Khan, first to go was McCarthy, beaten driving by a googly to begin the 15th over. Jonathan Foo lunged at another googly next ball and was beaten easily as the ball knocked into leg stump. Rovman Powell's dismissal was the worst stroke of the three, teased into chasing a flighted delivery well outside off that spun back sharply to hit off stump, the ESPNCricinfo reported.
It was a six from Assad Fudadin’s blade that sealed GAW’s victory with 13 balls to spare. Electing to field first, GAW did not have a great start as Jamaica opener Lendl Simmon took apart the bowling. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara continued his rich form and accelerated at right pace. It was a hat-trick from Afghan teen sensation Rashid Khan that dented the Tallawah’s progress. He bagged a hat-trick in the 15th over, sending back Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo and Rovman Powell off the first 3 deliveries. Rashid’s hat-trick was the first ever in CPL and all the dismissals came off googlies.
Sanga continued his march with an unbeaten 38-ball 57 that helped Jamaica to some respectability — 168 for 8.
Guyana lost the wicket of opener Sohail Tanvir in the third over to Krishmar Santokie which brought in Ronchi to the crease. The former New Zealand wicketkeeper went on a rampage, slamming a 33-ball 70 that made a mockery of the chase. He struck 5 fours and 5 sixes, which meant 50 of his runs, came off just 10 balls.
He was well supported by opener Chadwick Walton, who had slammed a 40-ball 84 not out, in these 2 sides’ previous clash, continued from where he had left. His 23-ball 39 set the platform for the chase and by the time he departed, the score was already 90 from 8 overs.
GAW completed the chase comfortably in the 18th over. They left the tournament heart-broken last year and now Rayad Emrit’s men are two hurdles away from winning the title. They play Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Qualifier 2 at the same venue on Thursday
ENDS
