Amazon Warriors remain unbeaten 

Saim Ayub struck an impressive third straight half-century as Guyana Amazon Warriors beats Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets in their first home game at the Guyana National Stadium, to extend their unbeaten run in the Caribbean Premier League.

In pursuit of 153 Amazon Warriors overhauled their target with nine balls to spare, to notch their sixth win in seven matches and return to the top of the scoreboard alongside Trinbago Knight Riders on 13 points.

With 21-year-old Pakistani Saim top-scoring with 85 from 53 deliveries, a knock which put him within reach of 300 runs for the campaign at 288.

Matthew Nandu, in his first game of the season, chipped in with 37, in a 112-run opening partnership with Saim, which erased any doubt over the result.Sent in earlier, Tallawahs produced another underwhelming batting effort and were restricted to only 152 for five from their 20 overs, despite captain Brandon King’s 52 off 32 deliveries.Fabian Allen (21 not out) and Raymon Reifer (20 not out) carved out small knocks towards the end, as fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius led with two for 33 for the hosts.

Opener Alex Hales failed for the third straight innings when he played on to fast bowler Romario Shepherd for nine in the fourth over with 23 runs on the board.

However, King lashed his third half-century of the campaign, striking ten fours and a six in posting exactly 50 for the second wicket with Kirk McKenzie (13), before both of them fell in successive overs.

West Indies, Shai Hope bats during the Cricket World Cup match between Afghanistan and West Indies at Headingley in Leeds, England. Associated Press / Rui Vieira, file

The innings then meandered before Reifer and Allen put on 41 in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership, to rally the back end.Saim then struck  five fours and five sixes to race to his 50 off 34 balls at the start of the 11th over, as he and Nandu dominated. Nandu faced 35 deliveries and struck four fours, but perished in the 13th over when he was bowled by off-spinner Chris Green but Saim combined with Shai Hope (16 not out) in a 29-run, second wicket partnership kept the run chase steady.