Amazon Warriors lose Nabi, Gurbaz to international duty

The unbeaten Guyana Amazon Warriors have been dealt a harsh blow with the Afghanistan duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz expected to play no further role in this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

Both players are set to leave the Amazon Warriors to join Afghanistan’s T20I team for their upcoming three-match series in India, which begins September 13.

They are set to be replaced by Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Pakistan’s wicketkeeper/batsman Mohammad Haris.

The Amazon Warriors currently sit top of the table on 12 points having won all six of their matches and have already booked their spot in the playoffs.

Nabi, in particular, has been central to their success, and leaves the CPL as the second highest wicket taker and highest among spinners, with 12 wickets in six innings at an economy rate of 5.80 runs an over.

Four of those wickets came against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Providence on Sunday, which helped seal the Amazon Warriors’ spot in the playoffs.

Captain Imran Tahir hailed Nabi’s all-round efforts and said that the team would miss him.

“He’s been an absolute legend. He’s one of the best offspinners in world cricket at the moment and that’s the reason we got him. He can bat and is a really good slip fielder.

“He’s also been good with us, sharing his knowledge and the way he’s been bowling has been brilliant. From GSL [Global Super League] till now, his lengths are so good and he never missed anything in any game. We’re really going to miss him,” Tahir said.

Gurbaz has also been important to the team’s strong run, scoring 93 runs in his two innings this season – 54 in 35 balls against Jamaica Kingsmen and 39 in 25 balls against the Patriots.

Mehidy is not part of Bangladesh’s T20I squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan and will be available for the rest of the CPL season.

He had a taste of the CPL in 2017, when he was picked by the Trinbago Knight Riders as a replacement player, but he is yet to play a game in the league.

Meanwhile, Haris is a more familiar face at Amazon Warriors, having turned out for them in the GSL in July-August this year. (CMC)

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