CPL 2024 bowls off in Antigua

The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots registered an exciting one-wicket victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the opening match of the Caribbean Premier League at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua last Thursday.

In pursuit of the Falcons’ score of 163- 4 off their 20 overs, the Patriots crossed the line when Anrich Nortje scampered a single off the last ball bowled by Roshon Primus to finish on 164-9 in 20 overs.

After winning the toss and sending the Falcons into bat, the home side lost their first wicket when Nortje bowled Teddy Bishop for one, leaving them 7-1.

Fakhar Zaman and Kofi James then added 60 runs for the second wicket before Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed Zaman for 43, and James followed shortly after for 22. Sam Billings made 18, and Dominic Drakes dismissed him.

However, Andrew and Fabian Allen partnered to blast 61 runs from the final six overs to strengthen the Falcons’ total.

Seventeen-year-old debutant Andrew lashed an unbeaten 50 from 30 balls, while Allen ended on 24 not out from 17 balls.

In reply, the Patriots’ opening pair of Evin Lewis and captain Andre Fletcher blasted 37 runs in five overs.

Fletcher was the first to go, stumped off left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for 25.

Lewis was caught trying to hit Shamar Springer out of the ground for 29; the Patriots were 71-2 after eight overs.

It took a performance from Man-of-the-Match Kyle Mayers, who struck 39 from 24 balls, including three fours and two sixes, to keep the Patriots in the contest.

Springer accounted for the wickets of Tristan Stubbs (2), Odean Smith (27), and Rilee Rossouw for a duck, to see them slip to 111-5

After the dismissal of Mayers, things got even worse when Ryan John, Dominic Drakes, and Ashmead Nedd lost their wickets with only five more runs added to leave the Patriots 159-9.

With seven runs needed from Primus’ last over, Nortje and Shamsi held their nerves to lead their team to victory.