GEORGETOWN, Guyana [Peter Paul Media] — The stage is set for the grand finale of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), as the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders prepare to battle for the title at Providence Stadium Sunday.
After two tense playoff encounters, the finalists emerged through a mix of spin dominance, explosive batting and knockout resilience.
Knight Riders Knock Out Kings in Qualifier 2
St Lucia’s second chance in Qualifier 2 on Friday proved fruitless as they ran into the firepower of the Trinbago Knight Riders. Batting first, Nicholas Pooran unleashed a ferocious innings, hammering boundaries from the outset, he finished with 5 4s and 4 6s.
Captain Kieron Pollard provided the finishing touch, launching sixes in the final overs to push Trinbago to a commanding total of 194 for 4.
St. Lucia was no match. In reply, the Kings never settled. Usman Tariq struck early, Sunil Narine kept runs in check, and wickets tumbled steadily. Despite flashes of resistance from the Kings’ middle order, the chase fizzled out well short of the target, sending Trinbago into yet another CPL final.
Pollard hailed his team’s performance: “In a knockout, you need your big players to step up, and that’s exactly what happened. Pooran gave us the start, the bowlers finished it off – a true team effort.”
Warriors Cruise Past Kings in Qualifier 1
The Guyana Amazon Warriors became the first side to book a final spot, defeating the St Lucia Kings in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday. Their bowlers thrived on the familiar Guyana surface, with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie producing a four-wicket haul. Supported by captain Imran Tahir’s control in the middle overs, the Warriors restricted the Kings to a modest total.
Chasing, Shai Hope provided stability with a composed innings, carefully rotating the strike while younger batters played with freedom around him. Guyana crossed the line but just barely with only a few balls remaining.
Tahir praised his side’s discipline: “We stuck to our plans, especially with the ball. Motie was outstanding, and the boys showed great composure chasing under pressure.”
The championship decider now pits the Warriors against Trinbago – two of the league’s most consistent and passionate franchises. Trinbago hopes to win their 5th CPL Trophy and Guyana will look to rebound from last years final defeat and repeat the 2023 performance which saw there first championship since CPL inception.
Providence Stadium has rewarded spin and steady batting, with scores in the 150–170 range proving competitive. The toss could be crucial, as teams weigh the advantage of setting a target against the possibility of dew aiding a chase.
The final promises a clash of styles: Guyana’s spin-focused control against Trinbago’s power-packed batting. With a vibrant crowd expected and high stakes on the line, the 2025 CPL finale is poised to deliver the drama, passion, and fireworks that define Caribbean cricket.
Peter Paul Media 