In a thrilling 23rd match of the CPL 2024 at Providence Stadium, the Guyana Amazon Warriors faced off against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. Winning the toss, the Falcons opted to bowl first, taking advantage of a pitch that heavily favored bowlers and made life difficult for the batters.
Moeen Ali Lifts Warriors with a Crucial Knock
The Falcons dominated much of the Warriors’ innings, leaving them in deep trouble at 98/6 in the 18th over. However, Moeen Ali showcased his experience, turning the game around in the closing overs. With calm and calculated aggression, Ali unleashed a brutal assault on Imad Wasim, smashing 26 runs off a single over and guiding his team to a fighting total. His pivotal 42 off 33 balls helped the Warriors post a respectable 135/7 in their 20 overs.
Early Setback for Falcons
In response, the Falcons struggled right from the start, losing both openers early. Justin Greaves was the first to fall, with Guyana’s left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie striking in the third over to give his team the upper hand. But it wasn’t just Motie’s bowling that made headlines.
Azam Khan’s MS Dhoni-Like Stumping
The key moment came when Greaves stepped down from the track, only to be beaten by the sharp turn of the ball. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. The delivery, which spun away from the batter, moved out of wicketkeeper Azam Khan’s reach. In a moment of brilliance, Azam dove full stretch, gathered the ball and whipped off the bails with one hand, leaving Greaves stranded well outside his crease.
Falcons Edge Past Knight Riders in Dramatic Finish to Keep CPL Hopes Alive
The athleticism and lightning-quick reflexes of Azam Khan drew comparisons to MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian wicketkeeper known for his lightning-fast stumpings. Khan’s stunning effort not only ended Greaves’s innings but also provided a crucial breakthrough for the Warriors in a tightly contested match.
Azam Khan’s one-handed stumping was a highlight of the game, a reminder of the game-changing impact of a top-tier wicketkeeper and an ode to the legacy of MS Dhoni’s unforgettable dismissals.