FRESH off calls in cricketing circle and social media for the axing of Imran Tahir as Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain, the South African has answered back.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Georgetown, the forty-seven-year-old says that his future in the franchise remains up to those in control of the franchise.
“My part is to give my role, not as a captain, but as a player towards the team. I tried my best. I leave it with the management, the team owner, and the president. They have to decide where my future will be. I’m very keen to come back and playing. This is my home. I get a lot of love when I come here. I get motivated the whole year just to come here and play cricket. I try to get fit and eat well, which is not easy.”
“I really want to finish on a high note. I’m looking to finish my career obviously in front of the Guyanese crowd. I just want to say a big thank you to them and our management, team owner, and the president, who’s been really supportive towards us, especially the Guyanese people.”
After playing an almost perfect hand in the group stage, the Warriors went into Barbados as favourites to snag only their second Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title.
However, three straight losses, firstly a low scoring final group game to the hosts, Barbados Tridents, followed by another sub-par Eliminator loss to the eventual winners the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and a high-scoring thriller to the Jamaica Kingsmen left Warriors out of trophy contention.
Tahir admitted that was not what his side wanted to give their loyal fans.

“Look, I am never going to give you the excuse of toss. I think it was poor planning from the batting point of view. We should have done better. We’ve got class players, the guys who dominate world cricket. They go all over the world and play really good. If you look at our top six, they’re international players, apart from (Mavindra) Dindyal. He’s a youngster,” the skipper said.
“For me, I think the guys should have the responsibility. We didn’t have good plans, against spin especially. I accept that the ball was turning a lot and it was bouncing. In the second innings, the pitch was getting flat, which is the truth, that happened in every single game in Barbados. I think sometimes you have to be more brave, more positive, and fight. That’s what our team is all about. Warriors fight until the end. I think we didn’t show that. On behalf of the team, I take the responsibility.”

No feature for Apple, Van Lange based on preference
Another talking point from the Warriors CPL 2026 campaign was the lack of playing time for the squad’s two youngsters, Jonathan van Lange and Shamar Apple.
The right-hander Van Lange was in the squad from the start while the left-handed Apple slotted in as a replacement for promising fast bowler Isai Thorne.
Many felt that at least one of the two should have had a start against the Barbados Tridents after the warriors had already qualified for the knock-out stage of the tournament with a game in hand.
Team Manager Leon Johnson explained the side’s reasoning, saying, “I think going to Barbados as well, we looked at the games in Barbados and we found that the pitches were very tricky. Having a team meeting, the guys, we wanted to play as many players as possible that would be playing Qualifier 1 in those conditions. A couple of senior players as well wanted to play.”
He was full of praise for the training that the two youngsters put in, adding that there was no doubt that their future in the sport is bright.

More patience from Shamar, Consistency from Hetty
One of the key takeaways from the CPL 2026 campaign were the performances of key Guyanese players and where work needs to go. The South African skipper who boasts more than two decades in the sport was candid about three of his stars.
“Coming to Shamar (Joseph), this year I think he bowled the best. He’s a fast bowler, he’s aggressive, but I think he’s hitting his lengths really well and yorkers. I still think that he needs to be a little bit more patient and more smart because if he’s playing in different conditions, he needs to bowl according to that. And that’s how we adapt as a spinner, as a batsman, when we go to different conditions.”
I have no doubt he’s going to be a rock star in world cricket, the way he’s bowling.
“Look, Hettie (Shimron Hetmyer), on a day, if he comes out, he’s going to give you what he has given in two games. For me, I want to see Hettie more consistent. I think that’s going to give a big benefit to Guyana and Guyanese cricketers who really look up to Hettie. If he’s consistent, that means we’re winning most of the games because he’s a really, really big part of this team. That’s the only thing I can think of him.”
He was also full of praise for the young opener Dindyal who he says needs to utilise the opportunity he has been given to further his game.
“The other teams, when we’re bowling, they come, ball one, they start a hit, so that was I think where we can improve and Dindyal, I think he can do that, but I think he just needs a little bit more time. But when I say that, he needs to work hard,” the skipper said.