An Australian wicketkeeper-batsman delivered a match-winning performance in the Caribbean, dominating the Pakistani bowlers and securing a win for his team. He formed a significant partnership with West Indies captain Shai Hope to chase down the target. Together, they orchestrated a partnership of 114 runs in just 59 balls in the second match of CPL 2025. Ben McDermott, the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, hammered a stunning half-century, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. Shai Hope, the West Indies captain, also had an impressive start to the league with an unbeaten half-century.
Ben McDermott’s stellar performance secured a win for Guyana.
The second match of CPL 2025 saw St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots face off against Guyana Amazon Warriors. Batting first, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots scored 153 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their 20 overs. Andre Fletcher was the top scorer with 60 runs from 41 balls, which included a six and five fours. Youngster Jyd Gooly contributed 24 runs. For the Amazon Warriors, all-rounder Dwayne Pretorius took three wickets, conceding 43 runs in four overs, and Imran Tahir claimed two wickets. The target of 153 runs was made easy by Ben McDermott, as his team achieved a five-wicket victory.
Ben McDermott’s outstanding batting performance created a sensation in the West Indies.
Although the Amazon Warriors lost their first wicket early, Ben McDermott and Shai Hope formed a 114-run partnership for the second wicket. McDermott scored 75 runs off just 39 balls during this partnership. He was relentless, targeting every bowler from the Amazon Warriors. The dynamic batsman took 21 runs off a single over from Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi and also attacked Naseem Shah.
Shai Hope played an unbeaten innings of 56 runs. His innings included five fours and two sixes. He gave good support to McDermott. Despite McDermott’s dismissal, Hope ensured the team’s win, with 16 balls to spare. Moeen Ali, the veteran all-rounder, scored 19 runs before getting out.
St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ bowlers struggled.
From St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Abbas Afridi took two wickets, conceding 24 runs in two overs, while Naseem Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Waqar Salamkheil each took one wicket. The fielding performance of their team was poor. Early on, St. Kitts missed a catch of Ben McDermott off Naseem Shah’s bowling when McDermott was batting at 32 runs. However, he capitalized on the opportunity and played a valuable innings for his team.