Trinbago Knight Riders Fall to Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Surprise Six-Wicket Victory
Match Report
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago – September 19: Justin Greaves of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons batting during the Men’s 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League match between Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at Queen’s Park Oval on September 19, 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)
A rare, disciplined effort by the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons saw them register a surprise six-wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League Thursday night.
Playing at the Queen’s Park Oval, the struggling Falcons, winners of just two of their previous eight games, produced a stellar performance with the ball to limit the home side to 134 for eight from their 20 overs.
Led by Player-of-the-Match Justin Greaves, who scored 46 before retiring, the visitors then cruised to 135 for four from 19 overs to prevail in a low-scoring affair.
Knight Riders’ Struggle
After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Knight Riders never got going, and they required a fighting 47 from their captain, Kieron Pollard, to reach their eventual total.
It was a balanced bowling effort by the Falcons, with five of the eight bowlers used by captain Chris Green sharing the wickets.
Falcons’ Run Chase
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir struck first to get rid of Sunil Narine for four before Shamar Springer dismissed Shaqkere Parris for nine to leave the Knight Riders 29 for two in the fifth over.
Green then bowled Keacy Carty for eight as he attempted to hit him out of the ground, and when Hassad Khan pulled off a stunning diving catch running in from deep square leg to remove the dangerous Nicholas Pooran, the Knight Riders were in trouble at 42 for four.
Tim David and Pollard then stabilised and boosted the innings in a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket in five overs, giving their side some momentum.
However, only Pollard put up any natural resistance once Fabian Allen had David caught at short third man for 25 from 20 balls, attempting a big hit.
Falcons’ Victory
Without another run added, Joshua James made a sharp catch to dismiss Andre Russell for a first-ball duck, and the Knight Riders slipped to 82 for six.
Pollard then dominated a 46-run partnership with Akeal Hosein (9) to lift his team past three figures.
Pollard wasn’t his usual dominant self, though, requiring 37 balls for his 47 before he was eventually out in the last over, caught on the boundary by Khan off the bowling of Springer.
Allen ended with 2-11, while Springer took 2-28 from his three overs.
The Falcons never really dazzled in their run chase after being forced to recover from losing two early wickets.
Brandon King didn’t trouble the score, and Kofi James made just ten as they slipped to 15 for two in the fourth over.
However, Greaves and Khan came together to rescue their side in a 53-run partnership that took the game away from the Knight Riders.
And just as they were looking to accelerate, Khan danced down the track past a delivery from Narine and was stumped for 36 from 20 balls.
Imad Wasim, who finished unbeaten on 36, then joined Greaves at the crease, and the pair took the Falcons closer to victory in a 49-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Greaves looked on the verge of another half-century, but after driving pacer Chris Jordan to extra cover for a single to move to 46, he surprisingly retired out with a score of 117 for four in the 18th over.
Wasim finished the contest in the next over, bowled by left-arm pacer Josh Little, which went for 18 runs to give the Falcons a much-needed win.
Conclusion
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons’ surprise victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders was a welcome boost for the struggling side, who have now won two of their last three matches.
FAQs
- What was the score in the match between Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons?
- The Trinbago Knight Riders scored 134 for eight from 20 overs, while the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons replied with 135 for four from 19 overs.
- Who was the player of the match?
- Justin Greaves, who scored 46 before retiring, was the player of the match.
- How many wickets did the Falcons take in the match?
- The Falcons took eight wickets in the match, with five of the eight bowlers used by captain Chris Green sharing the wickets.
About The Author
