Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman Shai Hope was named the Player of the Series for the 2023 Caribbean Premier League.
Hope scored 32 not out as the Amazon Warriors cruised to a nine-wicket win over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the finals on Sunday night.
The Amazon Warriors bowled out the Knight Riders for 94 with Dwaine Pretorius taking 4 for 26 and Gudakesh Motie taking 2 for 7.
Saim Ayub top-scored with 52 not out to take the Amazon Warriors to their first CPL title in their sixth final.
Hope amassed 481 runs at an average of 53.44 for the tournament scoring a hundred in the tournament.
“Runs that contribute to the win have been my focus,” he said after the match.
“I was just trying to score runs to win games and the tournament. Everything I did they (the support staff) always encouraged me, backed me to do my job and play my role. Just feels like a family. I am happy to be in this franchise,” he added.
Hope praised the batting of Ayub and thanked the fans for their support during the tournament.
“I thought we both saw off each other well. He is a quality player, just love to see him bat. He is easy on the eye and I hope he can continue going from strength to strength and probably get into the Pakistan team,” said Hope.
“You have been amazing, electrifying every single time we came to play here, you supported us through thick and thin, and this is for you guys,” he added.
Guyana lost five previous finals before winning their first CPL title and stopping the Knight Riders from winning a fifth CPL title.
Summarized scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 99/1 (Ayub 52*, Hope 32*; Hosein 1/21) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 94 all out (Carty 38, Deyal 16; Pretorius 4/26, Motie 2/7) by 9 wickets.