Miraz takes three on CPL debut as Amazon Warriors see off Kings

Mehidy Hasan Miraz marked his Caribbean Premier League debut in style with the ball, helping Guyana Amazon Warriors beat Saint Lucia Kings by four wickets in a tightly fought contest at Providence Stadium on Thursday.

Guyana won the toss and elected to bat first, though they lost opener Tim Seifert during the powerplay as they posted 51 runs inside the opening six overs of their innings.

Miraz was introduced into the attack shortly afterwards and made an immediate impact, dismissing John Campbell in his very first over after the batter miscued an attempted six straight into the hands of a fielder.

He went wicketless in his second over but struck twice in his third, trapping Kemol Savory leg before with the first delivery before removing Charith Asalanka soon after to leave Saint Lucia reeling in the middle overs.

Miraz completed a superb spell of three wickets for just 13 runs across his four overs, conceding only three more in his final over as Saint Lucia's innings continued to unravel against the Bangladesh all rounder.

Reflecting on his performance during the innings break, Miraz credited a simple plan built around hitting the right lengths on a surface he felt suited his style of bowling throughout the evening.

"I just kept in mind that this was a great wicket to bowl on. If I bowl in the right areas, the ball will spin and travel. I just thought about it like that, tried to bowl in the right areas, and put them under pressure," Miraz said.

He also spoke about the specific pace he aimed for on the Providence surface, explaining how subtle variations in speed helped him extract maximum turn and control throughout his spell.

"I think it's about the mix up. Around 85 to 90 kph is a great speed on this wicket. I just tried to bowl at that pace," he added.

Guyana captain Imran Tahir was equally outstanding alongside Miraz, the veteran South African leg spinner claiming five wickets for just 17 runs to further dismantle a struggling Saint Lucia batting line up.

Miraz did not hide his admiration for his new teammate, praising the 47 year old's fitness and longevity after sharing the field with him for the very first time during Tuesday's contest.

"47 years old, he is still playing, he's still so fit, and he is doing fantastic. It's a great opportunity for me because I am also playing with him for the first time. Yes, I'm really happy," Miraz said.

Between them, the two spinners combined for eight wickets, restricting Saint Lucia Kings to a modest total of just 119 all out inside 18.5 overs on a pitch that offered considerable assistance throughout.

Guyana's chase began cautiously, with the side reaching only 23 for one after the powerplay before Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope steadied things with a productive 53 run stand for the second wicket.

Phillips departed for 37 off 40 balls, while Hope followed shortly afterwards for 21, leaving the chase finely poised as Guyana searched for the momentum needed to close out the contest in the closing overs.

Miraz's own contribution with the bat was brief, the number five batter falling for just one off four balls after holing out attempting to hit Roston Chase over the boundary rope.

That left Guyana needing 48 runs from the final five overs, a target Quinton Sampson made look routine, striking an unbeaten 37 from just 11 balls, including five sixes and a boundary, to seal victory decisively.