In a thrilling contest at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) edged past Saint Lucia Kings (SLK) by 4 wickets, chasing down 188 with five balls to spare. A brilliant knock from Kieron Pollard, who was named Player of the Match, sealed the win for TKR after an incredible late charge.
Saint Lucia Kings Innings: 187/6 (20 Overs)
Saint Lucia Kings posted a competitive total of 187/6, thanks to a crucial contribution from Roston Chase, who top-scored with 63 off 44 balls. Faf du Plessis and Tim Seifert also chipped in with vital runs, adding to SLK’s tally. The Kings got off to a flying start, accumulating 70 runs in the powerplay, but the middle overs saw a bit of a slowdown as Noor Ahmad and Sadrack Descarte tightened things up for TKR.
Despite some big hitting towards the end, SLK would have felt they were 20 runs short on a pitch that looked conducive for chasing.
Key Performers for SLK:
- Roston Chase: 63 off 44 balls (7 fours, 1 six)
- Faf du Plessis: 39 off 29 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes)
- Noor Ahmad: 4-0-32-2
- Sadrack Descarte: 4-0-29-1
- Trinbago Knight Riders Innings: 189/6 (19.1 Overs)
In reply, TKR started strongly, with young Shaqkere Parris stealing the show early on with a sensational 52 off 38 balls. Parris set a solid foundation for the chase, but SLK’s bowlers fought back, led by Alzarri Joseph and Noor Ahmad, who created pressure and restricted the flow of runs in the middle overs.
However, the game changed once Kieron Pollard walked in. With 27 needed off 12 balls, Pollard launched a brutal assault, smashing four sixes in the penultimate over to bring his team on the verge of victory. His calculated hitting and composed approach under pressure proved to be the difference. Akeal Hosein provided solid support, but Pollard shouldered most of the responsibility to guide TKR to victory.
Key Performers for TKR:
- Shaqkere Parris: 52 off 38 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes)
- Kieron Pollard: 53* off 25 balls (6 sixes)
- Alzarri Joseph: 4-0-38-2
- Noor Ahmad: 4-0-32-2
Post-Match Presentation
Kieron Pollard (TKR Captain & Player of the Match):
“It was a very good game of cricket from both sides. They did well to get 180, but we probably gave away 20 runs too many. Fielding is something we really need to focus on. From an injury perspective, hopefully, we can get some guys fit and back. Shaq (Parris) batted brilliantly and set the tempo for us.”
Faf du Plessis (SLK Captain):
“It was a good game of cricket, a great powerplay, and we would have taken 190. The fightback after the powerplay was unbelievable. We probably went for too many sixes in the end, but proud of the guys for their effort.”
Conclusion
The Trinbago Knight Riders pulled off a dramatic win, thanks to a masterclass from Kieron Pollard in the death overs. Despite a valiant fightback from Saint Lucia Kings, the Knight Riders’ experience and firepower proved too strong in the end. With this victory, TKR continues their strong run in the tournament, while SLK will look to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.
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