NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – IN a heart-stopping finish under the Antiguan lights here Wednesday night, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons clinched a nail-biting 8-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), catapulting themselves to the top of the Republic Bank CPL table in the process.
After being sent in to bat by Knight Riders captain, Nicholas Pooran, the Falcons’ innings stuttered, crumbling to 77-5 in the 14th over.
Just as the hosts seemed destined for a subpar total, Fabian Allen launched a spectacular counter-assault.
The lower-order batsman bludgeoned 45 runs off a mere 20 balls, a whirlwind innings featuring three fours and three sixes that propelled the Falcons to a competitive 167-6.
Captain Imad Wasim was not to be outdone, as he weighed in with a crucial unbeaten 39 which came off 27 balls. There were two wickets each for Nathan Edward and Usman Tariq.
The Knight Riders’ chase was built on the back of another strong start from Colin Munro, who looked dangerous on 44.
However, the introduction of left-arm quick Obed McCoy proved decisive.
In a game-changing over, Player of the Match, McCoy, removed both the set Munro and the threatening Alex Hales, applying the brakes to the run rate and finishing with impressive figures of 4-39.
Despite contributions from Keacy Carty with a brisk 35 from 31 balls, the Knight Riders consistently lost wickets, leaving them with a steep requirement of 14 runs from the final over with the mighty Kieron Pollard on strike.
The task fell to Shamar Springer, who held his nerve under immense pressure and delivered a masterclass in death bowling with a mixture of yorkers and well-directed short balls.
Needing 13 runs off the final delivery, Pollard could only manage a four, sealing a famous victory for the Falcons as Pollard finished unbeaten on 43 from 28 balls as TKR mustered 159-6.
The win sends the Falcons soaring to the summit of the CPL standings, while the Knight Riders are left to ponder what might have been, finding themselves second from bottom.