CPL: Falcons score surprise victory over TKR

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

A rare, disciplined effort by the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons saw them register a surprise six-wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League here 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.

TKR never got going after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, and they required a fighting 47 from their captain Kieron Pollard to get up to 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.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir struck first to get rid of Sunil Narine for four, before Shamar Springer dismissed Shaqkere Parris for nine to leave TKR 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, TKR were in trouble at 42 for four.

MOMENTUM

Tim David and Pollard then stabilised and boosted the innings in a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket in five overs to give their side some momentum.

But once Fabian Allen had David caught at short third man for 25 from 20 balls attempting a big hit, only Pollard put up any real resistance.

Without another run added, Joshua James took a sharp catch to dismiss Andre Russell for a first ball duck as 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 eventual 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 the loss of two early wickets.

Brandon King didn’t trouble the score and Kofi James made just 10, 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 the score 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.