ANTIGUA and Barbuda Falcons seem to find their best form against Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), defeating the TT franchise for the second time in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. A victory for TKR would have confirmed a spot for the TT franchise in the playoffs.
Falcons got past TKR by six wickets at the Queen's Park Oval in St Clair, on September 19.
TKR posted 134/8 and Falcons in response wrapped up the win by scoring 135/4 in 19 overs.
The match was not without controversy as Falcons batsman Imad Wasim was not out, then out and then not out again.
Defending a modest 134, TKR needed to pick up early wickets and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein did just that.
He grabbed the wicket of Brandon King in the first over, caught by Waqar Salamkheil at backward square leg. It should have been two wickets in the first over, but Salamkheil put down Kofi James.
The TKR fans were on their feet again as Russell bowled Kofi for ten with a perfectly bowled yorker.
Opener Justin Greaves and Khan put Falcons in control, with the latter playing some lusty blows.
Khan also showed his timing. The right-hander played one of the shots of the night when he opened the face of the bat and steered a ball from pacer Chris Jordan to the third man boundary.
The partnership between Khan and Greaves was now more than 50 as the Falcons progressed to 68/2 after nine overs.
Khan's confidence led to his demise as he was stumped by Pooran for 36 off 20 balls to give Narine the wicket.
Narine thought he had two wickets in two balls. Wasim was intially given not out after a leg before appeal, but then given out after a review.
Wasim openly showed his frustration with the decision as he felt the ball struck his bat. Wasim had already crossed the boundary, but umpire Christopher Taylor changed the decision after consultation with the third umpire. The rules of cricket say that if a batsman leaves the field after being given out, he cannot return to the field.
TKR then complained and it led to a ten-minute delay in the match. Falcons assistant coach Sir Curtly Ambrose and TKR head coach Phil Simmons were also seen on TV looking upset with the situation.
Wasim was eventually allowed to continue batting. It was an important decision in the match because if Wasim's dismissal stood, the Falcons would have been 68/4 in the tenth over.
Instead, Wasim ended on 36 not out off 27 balls to steer Falcons to victory. Greaves retired not out for 46.
Batting first, Sunil Narine's dismal run of form this season continued as he fell for four in the first over, bowled by fast bowler Mohammad Amir.
Nicholas Pooran, promoted to number three in the batting order, joined Shaqkere Parris.
[caption id="attachment_1109742" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Trinbago Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard hits a boundary during the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League T20 match against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, at the Queen's Park Oval, St Clair, on Septmeber 19, 2024. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
Pooran, one of the most popu
