(CPL) – Antigua & Barbuda Falcons defeated the Trinbago Knight Riders for the second time in the tournament, winning by six wickets at the Queen’s Park Oval last night.
The Falcons had also won against the Knight Riders in their home game two weeks ago by a narrow margin of six runs.
Requiring 19 runs from the final 12 deliveries, the Falcons stormed to the eventual result in the penultimate over, recording 19 runs off the bowling of Joshua Little. Nine runs were scored off the first three deliveries, which included an overthrow for a boundary after it had collided off Imad Wasim during a run-out attempt in his bid to complete a second run.
Despite the result yesterday, both teams remained in their respective positions on the table, with Knight Riders occupying second place while Falcons languish in fifth place.
The next three balls delivered the required 10 runs. Little delivered a waist no-ball, which also included two runs in the fourth delivery, while his fifth, which was a free-hit, was smashed to the boundary by Wasim, in the process bringing the required score to two.
The subsequent two deliveries resulted in respective singles as the Falcons secured a deserved and gritty victory. Wasim finished with an unbeaten 36, while Justin Greaves top scored with 46 before retiring hurt. Hasan Khan supported with 36 runs.
For the hosts, 134-8 was never going to be a threatening total, as the Falcons delivered a commendable performance in what was a much-win encounter to keep their hopes alive, though slim, of qualifying for the elimination round.
Fabian Allen snared 2-13 while Shamar Springer impressed with 2-28. Captain Kieron Pollard top scored for the hosts with 47, while Tim David contributed 25.