 We have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, we have the UN, if you are worried, that's fine. It's cricket time on the sports rank zone. We have gotten to the decisive stage of the biggest party in sport, the Republic Bank, Caribbean Premier League. Jamaica Talos will continue the defense of their title after squeezing into the playoffs with wins over the St. Kits and Nevis Patriots on Saturday and St. Lucia Kings on Sunday. In Sunday's match, Englishman Alex Hales smashed 119 from 57 deliveries to propel the Talos. The 201 for five of their 20 overs. Imad Wazeem chipped in with 41. Ruston Chase took 2 for 33 for the Kings. Chris Green then did major damage with the ball, taking 4 for 15 to dismiss the Kings for just 79. Sri Lankan, Raja Paksa top scored with 22 as the Talos went on to win by 122 runs. The Royal's fate was also determined losing to Ghana Amazon Warriors who surged to the top of the table. Now the CPL playoffs begin on Tuesday with the Eliminator between the Talos and the Kings. That match will be live on Sportsmax and the Sportsmax app beginning at 6 p.m. in Jamaica 7 for the rest of the Caribbean. Let's make a link in Ghana with commentator Nikhil Uttamchandani, a Sportsmax analyst as well. Nikhil, how are you doing? Oh, well, Ricardo, it was great, I feel like I heard the same, but I must say a lot of the studio congrats to you guys and it looks brilliant. You know, that's just a serious level of bad mind, but it's all right. What a way for the CPL preliminary stage to end Nikhil and let's deal with the Jamaica Talos. Finishing in fourth for a second successive season, they had to do it the hard way with two big wins on the last two days of preliminary round action. Yeah, I don't know what Chris Prasad and Jeff Miller who you had on your show a week ago, I enjoyed that interview thoroughly. I don't know what they're putting in the food for the Talos, but for two years now it just seems like they come to the party, the biggest party in sport at the very last second. This is exactly the way things aligned for them last season. It was barely getting in by a point then this season is net run rate. And then who did they play in the eliminated? The St. Lucia Kings, who they'll meet tomorrow night. So for some weird reason, it just seems like it's a carbon copy repeat. Look, they've got a few match winners in there who they've retained in their core, both overseas and local. Obviously they lost their captain, Robyn Powell, and they also lost five games straight. But the way that they've been able to rebound, especially without Brandon King, Alex Hales in his addition has been huge for them and we saw his experience yesterday, even after pretty much a wrap of low scores. He was still able to shake that off and come with a massive century when they needed it the most. But also I just think the way that they play their game yesterday in that aggressive manner, if they do that again in the playoffs, I think they're very hard team to stop. Yeah, let's deal with Alex Hales for a second. 59 runs in four innings before his 119 on Sunday. In my opinion, he had given a little warning on Saturday with that 17 from 16. He got out at a point when it looked as if he was just ready to let loose. But he delivered in a massive way on Sunday. How good was that 119? It was dominant. I was shocked, to be honest, because if you even watched him in the tournament before in the 100, before the blast, it was struggling. 19 innings without a half-century, which was almost unheard of for a player of his stature and all the efforts he had as a T20 cricket. And even at the CPL in 2019, didn't really have the best of seasons, even though the Tridents won then. This year, again, he was getting starts but wasn't kicking on. But it's almost like he realized the responsibility that was on his shoulders without Brandon King, who they relied upon so much. And even after the tricky first couple of overs in that probably, he just ensured that he spent some time there. But also, the manner in which he was able to flick the switch where they scored up close to 15 runs were 15 runs per over in that last five overs. For me, it was just unreal. And I don't think many players in the world have that ability to just flick the switch like that. Yeah, Brandon King, the regular captain. We understand the groin injury. He's also likely to be out for tomorrow's Eliminator against the St. Lucia King. So that is a big blow for the Talos. But Ima Dozim, you would have to say, led the team really well in Sunday's match. And in fact, whenever he's had an opportunity to lead this team, Dozim, he's done a really good job. In fact, at the end of the match, one of the things he said is that we're looking like a dangerous team, the Talos, in a similar situation to what we were in a year ago. Given the momentum and everything, do you believe that the Talos have the make up, the quality to reproduce what they did a year ago? Yeah, in terms of the quality, they definitely have it. And the reason I think this stand out amongst other teams, Ricardo, is the individuals that they have. Obviously, at the end of the day, it's going to come down to which team can get the most out of a team collectivity. But last season, it was exactly this. Mohamed Amir in the power play, Ima Dozim in the middle, Brandon King obviously stepping in with the runs, and then they got something out of Brooks, Captain Paul and Rifa. This season, Amir has been special at the back end of the innings. I think he's taken nine in the last five. Wasim has been their best one in the power play. King has shipped in with runs, and this is a time where now Brooks has shown that he can step in. He got that 100 in Guyana last season, a 47 from just 30 balls against the Kings and the Eliminator, and we've seen Rifa with the strike rate. For me, I'm watching Fabian Allen. He continues to be explosive. He contributes in all three parts of the game, and he loves bowling at the Providence. I don't think they've gotten the most out of him as yet. I possibly think they can even use him a bit earlier. But what Alec Taylor said to me, said to the viewers after the win, was that he wants them to come out and play the same way they did on that day, aggressive. And they have the personnel and also have the deck to do it, especially with batting hand. If they do that, and they hit a 200 plus batting person, Eliminator, I think it's very hard to beat them. Yeah, now the team that has been really impressive this season, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, they've always been impressive where the CPL is concerned, Nikhil, just unable to close it out. Let's talk about Shay Hope and that century for his team. To be honest, it was, I think, for Westinian fans and also cricket lovers around the world, it was a dream not to watch, just the way the tempo he began. Usually, in the last couple of games, he's gotten the runs, but as commentators, we have discussed his tempo. He's been mainly run up more for his first 25 deliveries. And to be honest, we've seen that he can be better than that. In that first 50 against the Patriots, he struck it over 150. And we've known Shay Hope to have enough quality to be able to strike at that 150 plus and still turn out the runs. What he did yesterday was a Shay Hope of a different caliber. And if he does that, I think he's right up there with the best in the world. You look at Aspatla, Surya Kumari out of NT20 cricket, Henryk Klassen, those are the innings that they're able to produce but just at a much more consistent level. It was ridiculous the way he struck the ball. Now, we have to ask, is it because the pressure was off? Remember, the Warriors had nothing to lose. Can he replicate the innings of that quality in a playoff game where they must win? Regardless, though, he has found something else in his game this season and it's great to see from Westinian perspective because I think he's very important given the ability against Spin especially. Yeah, well, only time will tell us, Nikhil, when he's put in a pressure situation. But for now, we'll celebrate that century. Talk to me about the bowlers, Imran Tahir, Gurukesh Modi, ensuring that the Barbaros Royals did not have an opportunity to seal that fourth spot. Yeah, they've had a really good bowling attack and obviously Tahir and Modi will lead it going forward given the games are at Providence. What Tahir has done not only as a bowler but as a leader for me really stood out. I don't think many people gave him a chance in terms of being a captain because he's never really led into T20 cricket before and I put my hand up and say, even I, but I was badly wrong because when you look at the way he has led this team, just body language, overall the way he's carried himself and spoken after games, before games, he has all the makings and he's shown his maturity at 44 years old. What I want to see is, first of all, how do they feel the team of Paul Boyd because that fifth bowling option has been somewhat of an issue for them throughout the season. Pretorius has been good up front with the new ball. Shepard continues to take the cricket side of the back end. But is it Odin Smith? Is it Junius Sinclair? Who'll be there back as that fifth option? Maybe even Shamar Joseph who's just come in in that last game because I think that could be a crucial deciding factor when they come up against TKR who we know have all this power and explosiveness. Right, and Nikhil, you know, when we look at the match-ups coming up, they're very mouth-watering because you spoke about the history between the St. Lucia Kings and the Jamaica Talos. We also know the rivalry and the history between the Ghana, Amazon Warriors and Trinbego Knight riders. I think we're poised for two exciting match-ups. I'm going to put you on the spot. Maybe Cole, both. Well, curry chicken versus chicken curry. I'll start there. This is a boa prediction. I don't like to predict, usually, because it's hard in T20 cricket and one-off games, but I just have a small feeling that TKR will take that game and the Warriors still will meet them in the final. I just think the power and also full run, we have to see if Dwayne Bravo comes back because I think on these conditions, he's a handful in the other game. Wow, Talos Kings. Two teams I really enjoy watching. I think I'm going to have to give the edge to the Talos, man. I just think they are hearting given the match winners and, yeah. Well, you put me on the spot there, Mariah, but I think those are my two picks. Could change before the first game, but if I had to pick now, I'm going with those two. Yeah, on the fence. On the fence, Nikola Tamshandani. On the fence. I don't want anyone to accuse you of being a Monday morning quarterback, Nikola Tamshandani. So I will give you the opportunity to go even further and tell me who's going to win the CPL this season. Wow, Ricardo, I'm going with the Warriors. This is their year. I'm in Guyana. I've seen the thousands of people that continue to support this team. This is the year of the Warriors. They keep putting up these signs. This is their year. I think this is their year for sure. I think so. They're just strong. It's almost like saying it's coming home. Lance and Mariah. Interestingly, so Nikola Tamshandani is saying that he's picking TKR to beat the Warriors in the qualifier. He expects the Warriors to get to the final and then beat TKR there. Wow, he has it all worked out. Big up to you, Nikola Tamshandani. Lance, you're sticking with TKR, right? And Mariah Ramarak? Yeah, I've always stayed. The only reason I went to Guyana was with the women, because one Ramarak was playing there, but it's TKR for me. All right, so TKR, TKR, TKR on, no, Warriors on Zoom. Can I? You're the Talawan. Can I say Talawan? Where are the top clothes? No, I want the Talawan to win. I want the Talawan to win, but I long predicted the Trinbega Knight Riders to win the CPL, so that's not news. Oh, yeah. Well, the news is we've got to go to break though. Yeah, Nikhil, chat to you soon. Cheers, guys. Thanks for having me. Enjoy the new studio. Thank you.