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Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on September 5 ended their losing streak in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 with a thrilling six-run win over Trinbago Knight Riders at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. Pakistan trio Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir made useful contributions in the new franchise's maiden CPL win.
Zaman, Greaves’ ideal start
Knight Riders skipper Kieron Pollard won the toss and opted to bowl first. Zaman and Justin Greaves used the powerplay overs well. Sunil Narine ended Justin Greaves' stay at the crease by getting him stumped out. Greaves scored 37 runs from 19 balls. Falcons were 66/1 after six overs. Roshon Primus struggled to rotate strike in the middle overs. In the 11th over, Afghan spinner Waqar Salamkheil dismissed Zaman. The opener scored 38 runs from 26 balls.
Imad’s crucial knock
Wasim pushed the scoring rate. Meanwhile, Narine returned to end Primus' miserable knock. He scored just 19 runs from 26 balls. Wasim took on Narine in his last over and hit a four and a six. In the 17th over, young Jewel Andrew fell to Salamkheil. Fabian Allen found the boundary often in the last two overs. He contributed with an 11-ball 25 cameo. Wasim lost his wicket off the penultimate delivery of the innings to Terrance Hinds. The Pakistan all-rounder hit four fours and a couple of sixes in his 29-ball 46. On the last ball, skipper Chris Green got run out trying to sneak a second run. Falcons posted 176/6 on the board.
Fabulous Fabian
In the run chase, Narine fell for a four-ball duck to Green in the second over. Knight Riders could not use powerplay overs to full effect. In the sixth over, Andries Gous hit Wasim for a couple of sixes followed by a four. Knight Riders were 46/1 after powerplay overs. In the 10th over, Shaqkere Paris got out lbw to Allen for a 28-ball 31. In the same over, he got the prized wicket of Nicholas Pooran. In his next over, Allen ended Gous' knock. The USA batter scored 39 runs from 33 balls.
Carty, Pollard’s cameos not enough
Keacy Carty and Pollard took control of the run chase. They dealt in fours and sixes. Wasim was hit for a couple of sixes in the 16th over by Carty. Amir was brought back into the attack. The left-arm pacer conceded a six but knocked over Pollard. The all-rounder scored 30 runs from just 15 balls. In the next over, Primus made up for the slow knock. He conceded a six but got Andre Russell out for a single-digit score.In the penultimate over, Carty departed as well. Shamar Springer got the crucial wicket. He scored 34 runs from 22 balls. In the final over, Hinds and Akeal Hosein got out as Primus managed to defend 14 runs. Knight Riders posted 170/9 and lost the match by six runs.
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