In a must-win clash at Bridgetown, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots beat Barbados Royals by just 1 run to stay alive in the CPL 2025 playoff race. Jason Holder’s unbeaten 53 and his nerves of steel with the ball scripted a dramatic victory. The heartbreaking defeat ended the Royals’ chances of reaching the playoffs.
The final over of the Royals’ chase had everyone on edge. Rassie van der Dussen launched Holder for a six first ball, leaving seven runs from five deliveries. Holder responded with pinpoint wide yorkers to bring it down to two runs needed off the final ball. He then nailed a perfect yorker against Daniel Sams to seal a famous win.
“I have always said that cricket should go on; it has always helped in making the relations better between the two countries,” Holder said, reflecting on his performance.
Royals’ Chase Falters Despite van der Dussen’s Fight
Chasing 150, Quinton de Kock and Brandon King gave the Royals a brisk start in the PowerPlay. King smashed three sixes in his 29 before losing his off-stump attempting a reverse sweep. The Patriots’ bowlers Naseem Shah and Naveen Bidaisee pulled things back, dismissing de Kock and others to reduce the Royals to 61 for 3.
Sherfane Rutherford injected momentum with two big sixes, but Bidaisee removed him quickly. Van der Dussen and Rovman Powell then looked to rebuild. Powell hit a four and a six before Waqar Salamkheil dismissed him. With 34 needed from three overs, Naseem bowled a miserly 17th over. Holder struck again in the 18th, removing Chris Green and conceding just five. Despite a late push in the 19th, the Royals fell one run short.
Holder Leads Patriots’ Recovery with the Bat
Earlier, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots posted 150/7 in 20 overs after a shaky start. Mohammad Rizwan struck early boundaries but fell for 39 after a collapse triggered by Chris Green’s double strike. At 84 for 5 in 14 overs, the Patriots looked in trouble.
Jason Holder then played a captain’s knock, smashing two sixes and a four in an 18-run over. He raised a crucial fifty-run partnership with Bidaisee, who also contributed with boundaries. Holder reached his half-century in style and finished unbeaten on 53 off 30 balls.
Brief Scores
- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 150/7 in 20 overs (Jason Holder 53*, Mohammad Rizwan 39; Eathan Bosch 3/26, Chris Green 2/18)
- Barbados Royals 149/7 in 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 37*, Brandon King 29; Navian Bidaisee 2/24, Waqar Salamkheil 2/27)
- Result: Patriots won by 1 run
The Patriots now stay alive in the CPL 2025 playoff race, while the Royals bow out after another narrow defeat.
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