Patriots Clinch Victory in Last-Ball Drama on CPL Opening Night

Jewel Andrew’s unbeaten fifty and Shamar Springer’s impressive 4-29 in the middle overs weren’t enough as the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots edged out the Antigua and Barbados Falcons by just one wicket in a thrilling last-ball finish on the CPL 2024 opening night. Batting first, the Falcons scored 163/4, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s 43…


Patriots Clinch Victory in Last-Ball Drama on CPL Opening Night

Jewel Andrew’s unbeaten fifty and Shamar Springer’s impressive 4-29 in the middle overs weren’t enough as the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots edged out the Antigua and Barbados Falcons by just one wicket in a thrilling last-ball finish on the CPL 2024 opening night.

Batting first, the Falcons scored 163/4, thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s 43 and Andrew’s unbeaten fifty in a 61-run partnership with Fabian Allen. Anrich Nortje made an impact early on, but Zaman and Koli James (22 off 24) put together a 60-run stand to steady the innings.

Tabraiz Shamsi broke the key partnership, dismissing Zaman seven runs short of a half-century. The Falcons then lost two more wickets quickly, including Sam Billings, and were 102/4 as the final overs approached.

Andrew, initially scoring slowly, accelerated and helped the Falcons score 51 off the last six overs, reaching a fifty in the final over. Allen also contributed with an unbeaten 24 from 17 balls, including two sixes, setting a competitive total.

For the Patriots, four of the top five batters got starts but couldn’t make it easy. Springer’s spell left them struggling at 111/5. Springer took crucial wickets, including Evin Lewis and Trisan Stubbs, and later dismissed Odean Smith and Rilee Rossouw. He also took a stunning catch to remove Kyle Mayers.

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Despite a late collapse and losing two wickets in the final over, Nortje stayed calm and guided the Patriots to victory.

Brief scores: Antigua and Barbados Falcons 163/4 in 20 overs (Jewel Andrew 50*, Fakhar Zaman 43) lost to St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots 164/9 in 20 overs (Kyle Mayers 39; Shamar Springer 4-29, Roshon Primus 2-21) by 1 wicket.