Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Final - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

So, after more than a month of thrilling encounters, it’s TKR who have conquered everyone to become the CPL champions for the fifth time. They have been one of the most dominant sides in the history of CPL and they have once again stamped their authority. TKR had never won a title away from Trinidad but they have rewritten the record books at Providence in Guyana tonight. Pooran sizzled in the playoffs with a couple of blazing knocks while Pollard reinvented himself and had a brilliant season with the bat. Usman Tariq emerged as the dark horse for them with his mystery spin while Narine was dependable as ever. The entire unit pulled together to bring glory back home. GAW, on the other hand, would have fancied themselves in front of their home crowd but today it wasn’t their night. Perhaps the decision to bat first in hindsight wasn’t the right one from Tahir especially with dew expected later on. Their batting was below-par. Kudos to their bowlers for trying their best but the better team won. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. This is Abhinav Guha signing off on behalf of Raju Peethala and Vinod. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Here’s the glory moment! Pooran has been handed over the trophy. He and his mates are sporting beaming smiles as they display their gold medals with pride! Now, they pose for photographs with the Champions hoarding in front of them. TKR are the deserved champions. The party will continue late into the night...

Nicholas Pooran | TKR skipper: Thanks for almighty. No words to describe this feeling. Waited 13 years for this moment. Before we talk about anything else, I just want to say thank you for the love and support to each and every member of this TKR squad. It is about getting the ego out of the way, we lost the last 5 years and a lot of things were said like: guys are old and their time is past and I guess every single person answered the call. I'm gonna start with Polly (Pollard), 38-years old or young I should say right! Every single person suffered injuries. fighting adversaries day in and day out and for me as a captain, I can't ask for anything else. We had to do it the hard way, and Guyana is one of the toughest places to play cricket in the world and we as players know that. When you are given leadership, you gotta take responsibility and accountability. For me it is not about me, it is about what I can do for my team and I was not gonna back down and miss an opportunity. We have players who do a lot of hard work and take responsibility. I trusted my players even in hard times and that was really important for us. This week was a really important one. It's just the belief (that made it possible).

Imran Tahir | Guyana skipper: We knew at the half time we were 20 runs short, the ball was turning nicely and the only message was to fight till the end. We tried really well and unfortunately, we did not have enough runs on the board. We tried everything all season and whatever was best for us, we tried to juggle the batting order and also have to understand that it is a long season and I appreciate my team mates for putting up the fight although we did not have enough runs on the board. I just want to say big thank you to everyone, also thanks to my family for the long journey to come and watch the final. They are world class players and you need a champion mindset to beat a team like that, their planning was really good and that is what you get to see with players who have played all over the world.

Kieron Pollard | Player of the tournament: It is a fantastic moment, not just for myself but also for my family who urged me to play cricket. And to the entire TKR team as well, could not have asked for anything better. The support of each and everybody from this TKR team is incredible. If you work hard at something, it might take time for things to happen, it is all about coming out and competing and having fun. We understand what is needed, I backed myself to hit the spinner and today we needed a quick cameo to settle the nerves and sometimes you have to make that first punch and it is also about understanding what is needed and also discipline to the approach which is what the team requires. We knew the ball was gonna come on nicely later and we were happy to do either. To restrict them under 140, we know one or two partnerships could do it. I can't tell you about the future, it's been a long road, let's see what happens. At the end of the year, I will be playing in Dubai, so that is the only thing I can tell at the moment.

Akeal Hosein | Player of the Match: Very special this award. For 5 years we have been really hungry, there has been lots of talk about ages in our group but experience will talk and really happy to get this win. I told one of my mates that I am gonna get him (Hope) and that's what I set my mind to. I do a lot of homework and there is a lot of assistance for spinners in this pitch, so it is about execution. In the last couple of games from my perspective things have gone horribly for me and Sunil Narine stuck by my side day in and day out, really happy that I can perform like this and make him smile and get over the line for him today. Before I went out, Nicky P just said whatever the situation is just back yourself. I just backed myself and tried to execute (talking about the last 2 boundaries).

Nicholas Pooran: First of all, to the fans of Trinidad, this is for you. We have been waiting five years and we deserve every second of it. I have waited 13 years for this moment. My first season was for Guyana, I led TKR for the first time this year and we won.

Kieron Pollard: It means a lot, but one thing I will say, there's three countries in the Caribbean where we have played the game, the booing is boring now, we are still the laughing stock of cricket in the West Indies. You have a guy who has represented the entire Caribbean over a period of time, putting them on the map in the format, but we still don’t appreciate him, I’m not bitter but I feel sorry not for myself. Kieron Pollard has played cricket that’s what I know. I got the opportunity, God has given me a talent, I have represented my family and my country, I don't politicise things, I do it because I love the game, I love the sport. This means a lot, five-time champions but it’s quite ironic that we are still the laughing stock of cricket in the world. (On performing so well at 38 years of age) Again, the love for cricket. As a player, I have gone past him (Dwayne Bravo) and as a coach, he has got the second one but now I have gone past him. (On the Trinidad supporters) Thanks for the support, they came out in numbers. A lot of travelling people who have come with us and supported us, so well done, thank you for all the support.

Dwayne Bravo: It's like half of the job done when you have players like Pollard, Pooran, Narine and Russell, the most important thing is to keep the dressing room happy. Just need to back them and trust them as players.

Akeal Hosein: It is a great feeling, we lost our way midway in the tournament, but we stuck together. This is his first time and I am happy for him (Pooran).Thank you for believing in us and supporting us (to the fans), hopefully this will make you proud.

Sunil Narine: Feels good, we have been trying it for the longest time, not there, this one's the sweetest of the lot. It is history that we struggled outside (of our home ground), but this one gives us the momentum and belief that anything is possible. Just trying to do whatever the team requires of me and thankful to God, it happened today and we lift the trophy again. We won 2 games prior to this and we were very confident, Thanks for all the support (to the fans), we know we struggled in the last 4-5 years, but as a team we stuck together.

00:08 Local Time, 04:08 GMT, 09:38 IST: Celebrations in the TKR camp. They have come through the hard route from the Eliminator and then all the way to winning the final. The chase of 131 was looking straightforward on paper and it became easier when Shepherd bowled a horrible 2nd over in which he conceded 22 runs. But from 33/0, TKR slipped to 54/3 and Narine was promoted to 5, he was given a license to attack and he played a crucial knock. But still GAW didn't give up and wickets kept them in the game. Pollard struck three crucial sixes in one Tahir over and that was key in bringing the target down. Tahir finally got his revenge and made things interesting by getting Pollard and Russell off successive balls. The depth in TKR's batting helped them as Akeal Hosein smashed a six and four off Motie to seal the deal. Stay tuned for all the interviews and the post-match stuff...