GAW vs TKR Preview | Guyana and Trinbago take their rivalry to ultimate stage with historic title-bout
Guyana Amazon Warriors will hope to double their title tally when they take on the Trinbago Knight Riders at the Providence Stadium on Sunday evening local time. The latter are the most successful team in tournament history but last won in 2020, a record they will be keen to change.
Few teams have ruled a premier franchise tournament like the Trinbago Knight Riders have dominated the Caribbean Premier League. Four titles in 13 years – including a streak of three championships in a four-year period – makes the side untouchable as far as legacies go in the tournament, nevermind the legendary likes of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Sunil Narine gracing their jersey year after year.
However, their last success came five years ago in 2020, making the current period their longest without a title to show for it. They came close in 2023, flying high with confidence having never lost the final before. But they were in for a rude awakening – Guyana not only trumped them but humiliated them, bowling out Trinbago for 94 on the back of a sensational four-wicket haul from Dwaine Pretorius. The protagonist of that final is still in their ranks, and has already scalped 15 in the ongoing edition.
That being said, the 2025 clash is likely to hinge more on how the slower bowlers perform, given both the conditions and the ability of the two sides. In Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, and Usman Tariq, Trinbago boast a spin attack of the highest variety, but Guyana are no slouches either with Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie in their ranks – two of three highest wicket-takers this year. Add pressure to a potentially attritional contest, and unpredictability rises through the roofs. Expect no different in a blockbuster 2025 CPL final.
Form Guide
The Amazon Warriors enter the game in red hot form, having won three of the last encounters to finish second in the table and avoid Qualifier 2 to gain extra rest days. Trinbago, on the other hand, lost their last three league encounters and finished third despite winning six of their first seven encounters. Nevertheless, they have bounced back with wins in both knockout clashes and will hope their big match pedigree once again takes them across the line on Sunday evening.
GAW: W W W L L
TKR: W W L L L
GAW vs TKR Head-to-Head in T20s
The two teams won and lost a game against each other in the group stages this season but Trinbago have had the upper hand in recent times, winning four of their last six encounters including both games last season. However, Guyana have the distinction of handing the four-time champions their only finals loss, in 2023, thus taking revenge for 2018 when Trinbago had denied them the title. Notably, Guyana have won nine of the 14 clashes between the two teams at their home stadium which is also the venue for the upcoming final.
TKR 17 -14 GAW
Pitch and Weather
The honours have been split evenly between the chasing and defending teams at the Providence Stadium in CPL 2025. The deck has largely favoured the spinners, especially in the second half of the game as the surface gets worn out, but pacers have had enough purchase too under lights to make an impact. At the same time, batting units have shown big scores are possible if the innings is paced well, as was evident in Qualifier 2 when TKR posted a venue best 194/4 for CPL 2025 in Qualifier 2. Nevertheless, the toss-winning captain in all eight encounters so far has chosen to field first, and the trend is expected to continue come the final.
The weather forecast suggests abundant clear skies during the encounter with the temperature hovering in the late 20s degrees celsius, along with a gradual drop off as the night matures. No rain is expected but players will have to contend with extreme levels of humidity.
Team News
Trinbago Knight Riders have a settled line up at their disposal and are unlikely to make any changes from their victory in Qualifier 2.
Guyana Amazon Warriors have also arrived upon an ideal XI after trying out the likes of Shamar Joseph and Jediah Blades amongst others, making any pivotal changes unlikely ahead of the summit clash.
Trinbago Knight Riders Probable XI: Colin Munro, Alex Hales, Nicholas Pooran (c/wk), Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Darren Bravo, Keacy Carty, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Saurabh Netravalkar, Usman Tariq
Guyana Amazon Warriors Probable XI: Ben McDermott, Quentin Sampson, Shai Hope (wk), Shimton Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Hassan Khan, Dwaine Pretorius, Romario Shepherd, Shamarh Brooks, Gudakesh Motie, Imran Tahir (c)
Broadcasting Platforms
The ultimate encounter of Caribbean Premier League 2025 will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network and be available for digital streaming on the Fancode app and website.
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