… brings into team a lot of professionalism, says Khan

PAKISTAN all-rounder Shoaib Malik was confirmed yesterday as the Guyana Amazon Warriors captain for the sixth edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Malik has emerged as the top candidate for the challenging job, based on his captaincy experience, having led Pakistan’s senior side and recently Multan Sultans, the Pakistan Super League T20 team, according to the Guyana Amazon Warriors Team Operations Manager, Omar Khan.

“Shoaib (Malik) has tremendous experience in T20 cricket. He is a former Pakistan captain, he has captained a number of T20 franchises and he brings into the team a lot of professionalism, a level of discipline, that level of team spirit and that organisation that we think will add,” Khan, a former West Indies team manager said.

Malik had previously represented the Barbados Tridents in the last five editions of the tournament. He had a decent stint with the Tridents in the last five years, where he was as an important member of the playing unit both with the bat and the ball.

“He is a good communicator and most of the guys respect him, and most importantly he is an international player who is highly respected, so the management staff thought we wanted that level of professionalism, somebody who can demonstrate true leadership skills,” Khan pointed out.

Malik’s appointment now confirmed a new management team for the local franchise after the owner made a new signing for the head coach of the team and his assistant.

After deliberating for quite a while the franchise pinned down on one name who best suits all the demands from the role and understands the dynamics of T20 cricket really well.

Former South African all-rounder Johan Botha will take over as the head coach of Warriors for the upcoming season. His deputy is the local man – manager of the Guyana Jaguars and West Indies A, Rayon Griffith.

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the Warriors first three home games went on sale yesterday at the CPL Guyana Office, located at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown.

Patrons in Berbice wishing to purchase tickets can do so from Monday at Vijai Ramdhan’s office, Number 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, Queenstown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Tickets cost $5 000 for the Red and Green Stands; $3 000 for the Orange Stand and $2 500 for the Grass Mound.

According to a release by the Warriors’ management, tickets can be purchased from 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs on weekdays and from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays.

According to the management, tickets will only be available for the first three matches.

Regarding the final two group matches on September 8 (Jamaica Tallawahs) and September 9 (Trinbago Knight Riders), an announcement will be made at a later date when those will be released.

The first three home matches are scheduled to be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence as follows:
Thursday, August 9 – Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Kitts Patriots at 18:00hrs.
Saturday, August 11 – Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Lucia Stars at 16:00hrs. Sunday, August 12 – Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Tridents at 18:00hrs.