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In a gripping contest at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (ABF) clinched a thrilling 6-run victory over Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in Match 8 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. Fabian Allen’s all-round brilliance proved to be the difference, as he contributed both with the bat and the ball to ensure ABF defended their total of 176/6 in a nail-biting finish.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons post a competitive total
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, ABF put up a competitive total of 176/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Justin Greaves provided a solid foundation with a 66-run opening partnership. Zaman scored a fluent 38 off 26 balls, while Greaves added a quickfire 37 off 19 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Imad Wasim then anchored the middle order, playing a vital knock of 46 runs off 29 balls, which included 4 boundaries and 2 sixes. Fabian added the finishing touches with a blistering 25 off just 11 balls, helping ABF to reach a competitive total.
Sunil Narine and Waqar Salamkheil were the standout bowlers for TKR, each picking up two wickets. Narine’s 4 overs yielded 2/32, while Salamkheil finished with figures of 2/27. Despite their efforts, ABF’s middle-order contributions helped them post a challenging target.
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Trinbago Knight Riders fall short in the chase
TKR’s chase got off to a shaky start with the early dismissals of Sunil Narine and Nicholas Pooran, leaving them at 2/7 in the second over. Andries Gous and Shaqkere Parris then steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership, but their slow progress meant that the required rate began to climb.
Keacy Carty and Kieron Pollard played explosive cameos to bring TKR back into the game, with Carty smashing 34 off 22 balls, including 4 sixes, and Pollard contributing a quickfire 30 off 15 balls. However, crucial breakthroughs from Fabian and Roshon Primus kept the pressure on TKR, and the Knight Riders eventually fell short, managing 170/9 in their 20 overs.
Fabian Allen shines with the ball
Having already made a vital contribution with the bat, Fabian delivered a match-winning performance with the ball, taking 3/23 in his 4 overs. His timely breakthroughs, including the key wicket of Kieron Pollard, derailed TKR’s chase and earned him the Player of the Match award. Primus also chipped in with two wickets, while Mohammad Amir and Chris Green picked up one wicket each to restrict TKR.
