(Trinidad Express) With emotions still running high following Trinbago Knight Riders’ (TKR) loss in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Eliminator on Tuesday night, Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis reminded fans that the outcome was part and parcel of the “unpredictable nature of sport.”
Mindful of the concerns raised by fans on social media regarding the “five-over fiasco”, Cudjoe-Lewis is confident that the CPL organisers will review what transpired in the interest of fairness and transparency.
TKR were knocked out of the 2024 edition of the “Biggest Party in Sport” following a nine-wicket loss on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method (DLS) against Barbados Royals in the Eliminator played at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence on Tuesday night.
The four-time champions entered the match as favourites, having defeated the Royals twice before in the group stage of the tournament, finishing third on the standings with seven wins from ten games.
The Royals had a record of five wins from ten games played and entered the knock-out match in fourth place.
Led by Nicholas Pooran’s third half-century of the season, TKR reached 168 for three off 19.1 overs when three of the lighting towers at the venue failed.
Two eventually came back online but the third did not.
The lighting failure caused a two-hour delay and when it was fixed, the Royals were set a DLS revised target of 60 off five overs, which they accomplished with nine wickets in hand and four balls to spare.
Had the game been abandoned, TKR would have progressed by virtue of their better standing after the group stage.
Fans cried foul on social media over the result, while star TKR player Andre Russell felt “robbed” by the “floodlight failure.”
However, Cudjoe-Lewis congratulated the team on their “valiant efforts” during the 2024 campaign, saying: “Despite the challenging circumstances during the Eliminator match, TKR demonstrated remarkable resilience, skill, and sportsmanship, embodying the pride and passion for which they are known and loved.”
“Cricket, like all sports, is filled with uncertainties, and while the final outcome was not in TKR’s favour, it’s important to acknowledge the strong camaraderie the team displayed throughout the tournament,” she stated.
Commenting on the social media furore that erupted following the game, Cudjoe-Lewis said: “I am mindful of the concerns raised by fans and supporters regarding the disruptions during the match, however, moments like these remind us of the unpredictable nature of sport.”
She added: “While it is never easy to accept a result under these conditions, I trust that the relevant authorities will review the matter carefully, ensuring fairness and transparency in the spirit of the game we all love.”
“Let’s remember that cricket is more than just a game it’s an opportunity to celebrate our shared Caribbean identity. We continue to stand with TKR and look forward to their comeback next season,” Cudjoe-Lewis said.