North Sound, Antigua – St Lucia Kings secured a convincing 7-wicket victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the 6th match of the Caribbean Premier League 2024, held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Led by a stellar bowling performance from Player of the Match Noor Ahmad, who took 3 wickets for just 18 runs, the Kings chased down the target of 143 with 18 balls to spare.
Falcons Struggle Against Spin, Post Modest Total
Electing to bat first after losing the toss, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons struggled to build momentum against a disciplined St Lucia Kings bowling attack. Despite a promising start from Justin Greaves, who scored 36 off 26 balls, the Falcons failed to capitalize as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Noor Ahmad was the star with the ball for the Kings, dismantling the Falcons’ middle order with his left-arm spin. He dismissed key players including Sam Billings and Fabian Allen, restricting the Falcons to a below-par total of 142/7 in their 20 overs. Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 29 provided some late resistance, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Falcons to a more competitive score.
Kings Chase Down Target with Ease
In response, the St Lucia Kings got off to a flying start, despite losing captain Faf du Plessis early, who scored a quickfire 28 off 15 balls. Johnson Charles anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 46 balls, while Tim Seifert’s blistering 26 off 11 balls ensured the Kings cruised to victory in just 17 overs.
The Kings’ chase was characterized by a steady accumulation of runs, punctuated by timely boundaries. Ackeem Auguste also contributed with a valuable 27 off 20 balls, supporting Charles in the middle overs. Imad Wasim and Chris Green managed to take a wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to derail the Kings’ chase.
Key Records and Highlights
- Noor Ahmad’s Bowling Masterclass: Noor Ahmad’s 3/18 was instrumental in restricting the Falcons and earned him the Player of the Match award.
- Amir’s Unwanted Record: Mohammad Amir conceded 45 runs, the most by any Falcons bowler in a T20 innings, surpassing his own previous record.
- Kings’ Dominant Chase: St Lucia Kings chased down the target of 143 in just 17 overs, marking a strong performance early in the CPL 2024 season.
Brief Scores:
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: 142/7 in 20 overs (Justin Greaves 36, Imad Wasim 29*, Noor Ahmad 3/18)
St Lucia Kings: 144/3 in 17 overs (Johnson Charles 47*, Tim Seifert 26*, Imad Wasim 1/21)
Result: St Lucia Kings won by 7 wickets (with 18 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Noor Ahmad (St Lucia Kings)
This victory solidifies the St Lucia Kings’ position in the tournament, showcasing their strength both with the ball and in the chase, as they look to continue their winning momentum in the upcoming matches.
