Hetmyer’s Record-Equalling Century Powers Guyana Amazon Warriors to DLS Win Over TKR
Shimron Hetmyer produced a breathtaking record-equalling century as the Guyana Amazon Warriors maintained their unbeaten start to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 season with a nine-run DLS victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders at Queen’s Park Oval.
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Rain played a major role in the Independence Day clash, reducing the contest to 16 overs per side. But the shortened format did little to slow Hetmyer, who smashed an unbeaten 111 from just 43 deliveries to equal the record for the fastest century in CPL history.
His explosive innings, combined with a late assault from Romario Shepherd, lifted the Amazon Warriors to 185 for 5. The Knight Riders were then restricted to 172 for 7 in their 16 overs, despite Alex Hales' 55 and Nicholas Pooran's aggressive 43.
TKR Make Early Inroads Before Rain Interrupts
Trinbago Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl, immediately putting pressure on the Amazon Warriors.
Akeal Hosein made the perfect start by removing Glenn Phillips for a duck, while Sunil Narine followed with another economical over. Lahiru Kumara then struck in the fourth over, dismissing Shai Hope for 16 after the batter picked out Alex Hales.
With Guyana reduced to 22 for 2, the Knight Riders appeared to have seized control.
However, rain interrupted the match before the PowerPlay could be completed, resulting in a delay of around 100 minutes. When play eventually resumed, the innings was reduced to 16 overs per side.
That change completely altered the momentum.
Hetmyer Turns the Game on Its Head
Hetmyer responded to the interruption with remarkable aggression. After taking a few deliveries to settle, the left-hander launched an assault that quickly transformed the game.
He brought up his half-century from just 27 balls before accelerating dramatically. Kumara became the main target, with Hetmyer smashing 30 runs from the 13th over.
Romario Shepherd provided the perfect support at the other end as the pair tore into the Knight Riders' bowling attack during the closing overs.
The final four overs produced a remarkable 85 runs, with Hetmyer eventually reaching his century in just 40 balls. His innings ultimately finished at 111 not out from 43 deliveries, featuring eight fours and eight sixes.
The century came on Hetmyer's 100th CPL appearance, making the achievement even more memorable.
Shepherd contributed a blistering unbeaten 27, helping Guyana finish on 185 for 5 from their 16 overs.
The Knight Riders' experienced spin attack had initially kept Guyana under control, but their seamers struggled badly once Hetmyer shifted through the gears.
Knight Riders Start Strong in the Chase
The DLS calculation left Trinbago Knight Riders needing 182 runs from their 16 overs.
Despite the daunting target, TKR made a promising start.
They reached 52 for 1 during the PowerPlay, with Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran attempting to keep pace with the required run rate.
Sunil Narine was dismissed spectacularly when Glenn Phillips completed a difficult one-handed catch near the boundary. Munro then fell soon after the fielding restrictions ended, becoming Mohammad Nabi's first major breakthrough.
Pooran briefly threatened to reproduce Hetmyer's fireworks.
The left-hander struck seven boundaries, including four sixes, during an entertaining 43 from just 22 deliveries. However, Nabi struck again when Pooran sliced one towards the fielders, ending a potentially decisive partnership.
Three Wickets for One Run Change the Match
Pooran's dismissal triggered the turning point of the chase.
The Knight Riders collapsed from 67 for 2 to 68 for 5, losing three wickets for just one run.
Jyd Goolie was trapped LBW shortly after Pooran departed, while Justin Greaves was bowled soon afterwards. The sudden collapse placed enormous pressure on the remaining batters.
With the required run rate continuing to climb, Alex Hales became TKR's main hope.
The experienced England batter produced an excellent counterattack, bringing up his half-century from just 23 balls and eventually scoring 55. He struck seven sixes during his innings and kept the Knight Riders alive deep into the chase.
However, Hales was dismissed immediately after reaching his fifty when Shamar Joseph breached his defence.
That wicket effectively ended TKR's hopes.
Guyana Hold Their Nerve
With 24 runs required from the final over, the Knight Riders needed something extraordinary.
Joshua Da Silva managed a couple of boundaries, but the target remained out of reach. Romario Shepherd then completed the final over with enough control to ensure the Amazon Warriors secured a nine-run DLS victory.
The result preserved Guyana's unbeaten record and strengthened their position in the CPL standings, while the Knight Riders were left facing a difficult situation in their campaign.
Hetmyer Provides the Spark, Nabi the Knockout Blow
The victory was built around two very different performances.
Hetmyer's unbeaten 111 provided the explosive foundation, while Mohammad Nabi's three-wicket spell of 3 for 20 proved crucial during the chase.
Nabi's dismissals of Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran were particularly important because both batters had begun to threaten the required rate.
For Trinbago, Pooran's 43 and Hales' 55 offered genuine hope, but the collapse in the middle overs ultimately proved too costly.
Warriors Continue Their Perfect Start
The Guyana Amazon Warriors showed once again that they can win matches in different ways.
They survived an early batting collapse, adapted brilliantly to a shortened innings and then relied on their bowling attack to defend a huge DLS-adjusted target.
Hetmyer's record-equalling century will naturally dominate the headlines, but the nine-run victory was also a product of Guyana's ability to recover from pressure and execute when the match entered its decisive stages.
For the Knight Riders, the defeat highlighted concerns around their pace bowling and middle-order stability. Their experienced spinners had initially done an excellent job, but once Hetmyer attacked the seamers, the game quickly slipped away.
The Amazon Warriors now remain unbeaten, while TKR face increasing pressure to collect victories in their remaining matches.
Brief Scores
Guyana Amazon Warriors: 185/5 in 16 oversShimron Hetmyer 111*, Romario Shepherd 27*; Akeal Hosein 1/11
Trinbago Knight Riders: 172/7 in 16 oversAlex Hales 55, Nicholas Pooran 43; Mohammad Nabi 3/20
Result: Guyana Amazon Warriors won by 9 runs via DLS.