There was some good news for Pakistan fans ahead of the all-important clash against India. Leg-spinner Usama Mir hit form in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League. Mir scalped 3/17 in 4 over for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons – led by Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim. Unfortunately for Pakistan, Mir is not part of the Asia Cup 2025 squad under Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha.
Mir’s brilliant spell coupled with pacer Jayden Seales 4/15 helped the Falcons bundle out Guyana Amazon Warriors for just 99 in 18.1 over in match No. 26 of the CPL 2025 season.
WATCH Usama Mir dismiss Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Shai Hope HERE…
With both sides sitting mid-table and with playoff places up for grabs this was always going to be a crucial fixture. The win means the Falcons secured their first playoff in the CPL after their debut tournament last year.
Imad Wasim’s side sit on 11 points from their ten matched whilst the warriors are on eight from eight and their fate remains undecided but in their own hands. Wasim won the toss and the Falcons elected to field first, Player of the Match Jayden Seales picking up 4/15 and Usama Mir 3/17 as they skittled the Warriors for just 99 runs. On paper it looked like a straightforward chase but in fact it turned out to be anything but. A nerve-shredding reply then ensued.
Skipper Wasim was impressed by the bowlers especially Usama Mir. “All the bowlers, including Usama Mir, bowled really well. All the pieces of the puzzle are getting together, so we are looking like a good side now. I thought it was a 140-150 wicket,” Wasim said at the post-match presentation.
“The wicket was very good, but the bowlers on both sides bowled really well, and the batters on both sides played some bad shots. We’re here to win the tournament, and we’re taking it one step at a time. Now we have qualified for the playoffs, and anything can happen. We’ve been making some mistakes, and we will sit down again and fix them. We haven’t played our A-game yet, and we are in the playoffs. We want to play our A-game now,” the Falcons captain added.
Amir Jangoo anchors chase with half-century
Amir Jangoo anchored the innings from the top of the order for the Falcons, as wickets fell all around him. He repelled and capitalised on anything loose to score a match-winning 51off 57 balls, carrying his bat in the process.
With Imran Tahir and Moeen Ali spinning wickets out and restricting run-scoring, the chase was a nervy one. The Falcons recovered from 24/4 in the power-play as captain Wasim compiled 16 off 24 balls before being run out and Fabian Allen chipped in with 15 off 14 to see the visitors get over the line and secure a much-heralded play-off spot.
“I feel really good. I had a good tournament leading up to this, and I understood what I needed to do tonight, which was just to come out and execute the plan. Wickets in the Powerplay are always important, especially against Guyana,” said Seales after the victory.
“We know they bat very deep, so the more we break into their batting, the more we keep chipping away at the wickets. It obviously worked well for us,” said Seales who got a fitting 24th birthday gift.
Story Highlights
- Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir claimed 3/17 in 4 overs for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons against Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL 2025 match.
- Usama Mir and Jayden Seales helped bowl out Guyana Amazon Warriors for only 99 in 18.1 overs.
- Antigua and Barbuda Falcons batter Amir Jangoo anchored the chase in a low-scoring CPL 2025 game.
The Warriors, Patriots and Royals will battle it out for the final place in the 2025 CPL play-offs as the tournament heads towards its conclusion.