It was a scene of laughter and tears at Warner Park, St. Kitts as the home team, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots romped to their first Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.
Chasing 160 for the title, the Patriots’ innings got off to dismal start as the Universe Boss Chris Gayle was out for a duck and Evin Lewis, a measly 6 runs.
Joshua Da Silva and Sherfane Rutherford stitched it back together 45- run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Breakthroughs in the 10th and 11th overs from Kesrick Williams and Alzarri Joseph sent Joshua Da Silva and Sherfane Rutherford packing for 37 and 25 runs respectively.
David Weise proved to be Dwayne Bravo’s undoing as he went for 8, leaving the home team in trouble.
A heroic knock of 48 from Dominic Drakes, supported by 20 from Fabian Allen got the Patriots close enough, with 7 to get from last over.
Out of options, stand in Captain Andre Fletcher opted for Williams in the 20th but he couldn’t contain a determined Drakes, who hit the winnings runs in the final ball, reducing the bowler to tears.
For the Kings, Fletcher once again struggled with the making, getting to 11, compliments of a solitary 6 before falling prey to Fawad Ahmed. Mark Deyal couldn’t replicate his heroics from the semifinal, as he fell into Drakes’ trap, in the first ball of his spell.
Rahkeem Cornwall and Roston Chase did the repair on the batting innings with a 44- run partnership. 5 fours and 2 sixes later, Cornwall raced to 43 from 36, but Fabian Allen had his man in the 11th over, making way for David Weise’s entrance. Weise and Tim David didn’t last much longer, adding 2 and 10 respectively to the total before their departure.
As Chase took control, Keemo Paul sat in the back seat for much of the teen overs, and when Chase went for a responsible 43 from 40, the onus was upon the Saxacalli all-rounder to show up to the party.
Three consecutive sixes off the 19th from Paul were part and parcel of his 39-run knock off 22 balls to boost the Kings to a score of 159- 7.
Shah was the pick of the bowlers picking up two wickets for 26 in his 4, while Ahmed went for 32 in his 4, also with two wickets.
