PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) – The Rangpur Riders broke their winless streak in style, claiming a dramatic 15-run victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors as action continued in the Exxon Mobil Guyana Global Super League at the Providence Stadium here Wednesday. The triumph not only lifted the Riders off the foot of the standings but also reignited the intensity of the tournament.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Riders captain Nurul Hasan saw his team falter to a perilous 14 for 4, and later 27 for 5, under relentless pressure from the Warriors’ bowling attack, led by Dwaine Pretorius who bagged 3-15 in a spell that decimated the Riders’ top order.

The Riders’ revival came through Khushdil Shah, who played a heroic knock of 58 off 47 balls, laced with two boundaries and four towering sixes. Skipper Hasan added a gritty 15 off 26, guiding the team to a fighting total of 117.

The Amazon Warriors’ reply quickly unravelled as Kamrul Islam Rabbi removed the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer for a golden duck, leaving the hosts struggling at 7 for 3.

Moeen Ali and Pretorius also fell cheaply, amplifying the pressure. Despite Shai Hope’s composed 35 off 44 balls anchoring the innings, the Warriors collapsed to 27 for 5 in a scenario eerily reminiscent of the Riders’ earlier struggles.

Hope’s dismissal at the start of the 18th over, courtesy of Rishad Hossain, left the Warriors needing 16 runs off the final over. Romario Shepherd provided late fireworks with a six in the penultimate over but was dismissed off the first ball of the final over by Rabbi, sealing a stunning victory for the Riders.

The Riders’ spirited bowling effort saw the Warriors bowled out for 102, marking a remarkable turnaround for the visitors. The Warriors now face an uphill battle to qualify for the final, pending the outcome of Thursday’s doubleheader.