The first few games of the Caribbean Premier League were thrilling and action-packed.
The finest players of the format have been showcasing just why they were so highly touted before the season with their tremendous performances in the opening six matches of the new season.
With the league resuming after a day's break, we take a look at five players that everyone needs to watch out for:
Sunil Narine – Trinbago Knight Riders
All-rounder Sunil Narine has been incredible in the Trinbago Knight Riders’ first two matches in the Caribbean Premier League.
Narine bowled a stellar spell of 2-19 in four overs and then smashed 50 off 28 balls to guide the tournament favourites to an easy victory in the opening match of the season.
In the second match against the Jamaica Tallawahs, Narine yet again spun a web around the batting lineup, giving away just 19 runs and picking up a wicket. Opening the innings, the 32-year-old smashed his second fifty in as many matches, scoring 53 off 38 balls to lead the Knight Riders to an easy victory.
Narine’s sensational form makes him our top player to watch out for.
Asif Ali – Jamaica Tallawahs
Having come in to bat with the Tallawahs in a spot of bother at 76-3 chasing 159, Pakistani batsman Asif Ali smashed a brilliant 47 off 27 balls which included five fours and two sixes, to help his side register a victory in their opening match of the tournament.
Ali was yet again the crisis man for the Tallawahs against the Knight Riders, walking in with his team’s score reading 19-3 in just the third over. The 28-year-old played a gritty knock of 22 off 16 balls before being cleaned up by Narine. Ali has been solid so far for the Tallawahs and given the terrible state of their top order outside of Glenn Phillips, the Pakistani batsman will need to keep his form up if his side is to do well.
Shimron Hetmyer – Guyana Amazon Warriors
Top-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been a lone warrior with the bat for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
He scored 63 off 44 balls against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Warriors’ opening match of the tournament. Hetmyer followed that up with a match-winning 71 off 44 balls against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, scoring over half of the target by himself.
The 23-year-old is in terrific form and the Warriors will be hopeful that Hetmyer can keep this going.
Keemo Paul – Guyana Amazon Warriors
While Hetmyer has been the Warriors’ star with the bat, all-rounder Keemo Paul has been dealing damage with the ball.
The 22-year-old gave away 21 runs in his three overs against the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Warriors’ opening match of the season. In their second against the Patriots, Paul picked up four wickets while conceding just 19 in his quota of four overs.
A top start for a talented young player.
Jason Holder – Barbados Tridents
Tridents’ skipper Jason Holder was tremendous in the reigning champions’ victory in their opening match against Patriots.
The skipper scored 38 off 22 balls and then gave away just 21 in his quota of four overs, as his team successfully defended 153. Holder then smashed 27 off just 12 balls in the Tridents’ second match against the St. Lucia Zouks. While he did not bowl particularly well giving away 13 runs in his only over.
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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @CPL
