Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], September 3 (ANI): The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons claimed an eight-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the final game of the season at the Queen’s Park Oval in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Knight Riders recorded their third straight loss and finished their homestand having lost four out of five games. Hasan Nawaz was the standout performer with the bat, whilst Rahkeem Cornwall and Joshua James brought it home with the ball for the Falcons, who notched another win after a rain-cancelled fixture against the Patriots, according to a release.
The Falcons made a promising start in the PowerPlay with Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall putting on a decent 40-run partnership before Cornwall chopped on off the bowling of Usman Tariq. This was the 17th consecutive CPL match he’s taken a wicket.
They had the chance to send Lewis back for 16, but the catch was put down by Terrance Hinds. The Knight Riders have relied on their spinners to bowl a tight first six, but the Falcons didn’t allow themselves to get bogged down and reached 43 for 1 at the end of the PowerPlay.
Sloppy catching plagued the Knight Riders again shortly after as Moeen Ali was dropped on 1 by Akeal Hosein. By this time, Hasan Nawaz established himself in this innings and looked to be the man to spearhead the Falcons' innings. The Knight Riders seamers have really struggled this season, and they were under pressure again as Nawaz blasted Justin Greaves and Terrance Hinds around the ground.
He reached his half-century in 36 balls with Moeen Ali on his second lifeline, supporting from the other end. Nawaz was eventually caught by Alex Hales off the bowling of Lahiru Kumara for 76.
The Falcons cleverly picked their victims, with Usman Tariq and Sunil Narine showing respect and finishing with tidy figures. The Falcons skipper was there at the end, finding a boundary off the last ball to take his team to 183 for 4 at the end of 20 overs.
The Knight Riders approached the PowerPlay with a high-risk, high-reward strategy, taking 63 runs for the loss of four wickets. Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran both got starts but fell to Rahkeem Cornwall, who was the man for the occasion in the Falcons' attack. He finished the PowerPlay with an outstanding spell, taking 3 for 17 to peg the Knight Riders' chase back, the release said.
Kieron Pollard, hampered by an existing injury, looked to put the team on his back once again as his 55 partnership with Joshua Da Silva kept the Knight Riders in touch heading into the last five overs. But when he was pouched smartly by Jayden Seales, it looked an uphill task from there.
The impressive Joshua James was the man to claim the crucial wicket. He and Sharmar Springer would combine to set James up with a comfortable 25-run cushion in the final over, which was well executed by James.
Joshua Da Silva brought up his half-century, hitting a six off the final ball and finishing 54 unbeaten, but this was nothing more than a consolation as the Knight Riders have potentially played themselves out of play-off contention. The Falcons reclaim the top spot for now and are in a strong position to qualify. (ANI)
CPL: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons beat Trinbago Knight Riders by eight runs, retain top spot
