Narine inspires Knight Riders to commanding victory

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Sunil Narine delivered a masterclass in all-round cricket as the Trinbago Knight Riders secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over the Barbados Tridents in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Queen’s Park Oval on Friday night.

The defending champions produced a ruthless display, restricting the Tridents to a modest 127 for nine before comfortably chasing down their target. Central to the victory was a spectacular 96-run opening partnership between Narine and Colin Munro.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Knight Riders captain Nicholas Pooran made the bold decision to rely heavily on his spinners during the PowerPlay.

The tactic paid immediate dividends as the Tridents reached only 31 for one in the first six overs. Pooran’s attacking field placements, including silly point and short leg for Kieron Pollard’s bowling, kept constant pressure on the Barbados batters.

With the pitch offering significant turn from the outset, run-scoring proved difficult. Usman Tariq produced a magnificent spell, conceding just 11 runs while claiming the wicket of Zachary Carter, who had looked promising before falling for 28.

Narine, 38, rolled back the years with a superb bowling performance, finishing with figures of two for 14 from four overs. The Knight Riders maintained their grip throughout the middle overs, with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Barbados captain Chris Green offered the only real resistance, making 27 before falling to a slower delivery from Pollard.

A late cameo from Rivaldo Clarke pushed the Tridents beyond the 120-run mark, but their total of 127 for nine always appeared below par on a difficult surface.

Any doubts about the target’s competitiveness quickly disappeared as Narine and Munro launched a blistering assault on the Tridents’ bowling attack.

The pair raced to 60 without loss in the PowerPlay, with Narine in particularly destructive form. The veteran all-rounder, having already starred with the ball, produced a pinch-hitting masterclass at the top of the order, sending the home crowd into raptures with a series of towering blows around Queen’s Park Oval.

Munro and Narine’s 96-run opening stand was the highest first-wicket partnership of the tournament so far. Green eventually broke through to dismiss Munro for 37, but by then the damage had been done.

Although the Tridents claimed the late wickets of Narine and Pooran, who made 12, Pollard and Jyd Goolie guided the Knight Riders home with time to spare.