Falcons leave it late to edge Patriots in CPL classic

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC):

The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons launched their home campaign in spectacular fashion Thursday night, snatching a dramatic three-wicket victory over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the 12th match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

In a contest between the CPL’s two bottom-placed sides, Evin Lewis, Shadab Khan and captain Moeen Ali delivered a run-chase masterclass as the hosts chased down 188 with three balls to spare.

The competitive spirit was established from the first ball, with Johnson Charles and Jayden Seales engaged in an early battle that epitomised the intensity of the contest.

Seales eventually had the last laugh, removing the dangerous Charles for 17 just as the opener threatened to cut loose.

The Patriots made a solid start, reaching 51 for one at the end of the Power Play, with conditions demanding patience as a strong Caribbean cross-breeze and a pitch offering early grip and turn made stroke-play challenging.

The Patriots’ middle-order wobble began when Shadab Khan and Fabian Allen applied the squeeze. Kyle Mayers fell to the pressure for 34, before Andre Fletcher was run out in the same over for 20 to compound the visitors’ problems.

Khan then produced a peach of a googly to bowl Kevin Wickham for two, leaving the Patriots in serious trouble at 80 for four in the 11th over.

However, the Falcons’ inability to maintain control at the death proved costly. Seales, Shamar Springer and Moeen Ali all came under pressure as Dasun Shanaka launched a furious assault, plundering 55 runs from the final three overs to transform a modest total into a formidable 187 for 6.

Shanaka finished unbeaten on 49 from 17 balls with five fours and four sixes as Shamar Springer was the pick of the bowlers, bagging two wickets for 42 runs.

The Falcons’ reply stumbled early when Amir Jangoo, on two, was brilliantly caught by Obed McCoy at short third man off just the fourth ball.

But Evin Lewis, assessing conditions patiently at the other end, began to find his timing and, crucially, the boundary.

The left-hander blasted five sixes before falling to Kyle Mayers at long-on for 48, but his explosive contribution had put the Falcons firmly in contention.

Hasan Nawaz and Shadab Khan picked up where Lewis left off, with Khan unleashing a rapid 30 from just 12 balls. He looked poised to turn the screw before Wanindu Hasaranga produced a spectacular running catch to end his charge.

Despite regular strikes keeping the Patriots hopeful, the contributions of Lewis, Nawaz and Khan had quietly kept the hosts within striking distance.

Shamar Springer then swung the momentum decisively, smashing 15 from just six balls to leave the Falcons needing seven from the final over.

Captain Moeen Ali delivered the perfect finish, slicing a four over short third man before launching a massive six to send the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium into raptures and seal a crucial victory.

The Falcons move to four points from four matches and will face defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday.

The Patriots remain rooted to the bottom of the table with two points from four matches and now head home for their home leg, beginning next Thursday against the Jamaica Kingsmen at Warner Park.