Guyana Amazon Warriors sign Moeen Ali as Saim Ayub's replacement for CPL 2024
Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have signed England all-rounder Moeen Ali to replace Pakistan's Saim Ayub for the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season. It will be Moeen's maiden CPL stint as he makes his way for Ayub, who is unavailable for the 2024 season.
The Pakistani youngster played in the recent Bangladesh Test series that they shockingly lost by a 0-2 margin. Ayub's loss comes as a massive blow for GAW as he was the second-leading run-scorer in CPL 2023 with 478 runs at an average of 43.45 and a strike rate of 142.26. His heroics helped the franchise break through and win their first CPL title last year.
After playing the Bangladesh Tests, Ayub will be part of Pakistan's domestic 50-over competition - The Champions One Day Cup - which overlaps with the CPL.
Meanwhile, Moeen is also likely to miss some of the action for GAW due to his participation for the Birmingham Bears in the ongoing T20 Blast back home. While the Bears have been eliminated with a quarterfinal defeat to Gloucestershire, Moeen's time of arrival to the CPL is still unknown. Until then, New Zealand dasher Tim Robinson will act as Moeen's replacement.
Robinson will stay with the GAW squad as a replacement for Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who will leave the CPL after the Barbados leg for national duty.
However, he will be back for the final stages of CPL 2024, with Robinson making way.
Moeen has been in outstanding batting and bowling form in the ongoing T20 Blast, averaging 41 at a strike rate of 161.41 with the willow and 12.40 at an economy of under 8.50 with the ball.
Guyana Amazon Warriors off to a winning start to CPL 2024
Guyana Amazon Warriors haven't missed a beat to begin the 2024 CPL season after the incredible title run last year. Led by Imran Tahir again, they won their first two games against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
While the first outing was a cliffhanger that needed GAW to complete a stiff run-chase off the final ball, the second game was an easy ride as the defending champions won by 40 runs.
GAW have now won four straight CPL games, dating back to last season.
They will take on the undefeated 2-0 St.Lucia Kings in their next encounter on Saturday, September 7.