ABF VS BR T20S

Right then, that’s the end of this cracker in Bridgetown, where the Falcons held their nerve to take home two points in stunning fashion, while the Royals’ winless run continues. The tournament now shifts to the Guyana leg, where the home side Guyana Amazon Warriors will face Trinbago Knight Riders at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, 7th September. The first ball will be bowled at 4.30 am IST (11 pm GMT, previous day). As always, we’ll be here an hour before for all the build-up and insights. Until then, take care! CIAO!

The victorious skipper of Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, Imad Wasim, points out their learnings from their previous encounters and is happy to be on the winning side. He says that at one point they thought that they would need to chase something around 200-210, but gives full credit to Salman Irshad for his bowling in the death overs and pulling the game back into their side. Highlights that the team is now kicking off at the right time, with each and every player knowing about their roles and delivering on those lines. Also feels the need to improve on the fielding aspect, as they suffered in the field after those dropped catches of Brandon King in the first innings. Appreciates the batting effort from Andries Gous to get them home. Ends by appreciating a good game of cricket all around. Also appreciates the effort from the Barbados Royals and enjoys the good cricket that happened all around today.

Barbados Royals' skipper, Rovman Powell, admits that his side just cannot seem to cross the line in crunch moments. Feels the batting group did well, but Brandon King provided the acceleration after a slow start in the Powerplay for the Falcons, and he also credits the bowlers for their effort. Explains that at the halfway stage, they believed they had enough runs, but missed opportunities cost them the game. On the bowling decisions, he reveals it came down to either himself or Sherfane Rutherford for the crucial final over, and with the conditions not favouring spin and Chris Green having an off day, he made that call. Powell adds that the team must now focus on staying on top for longer periods and continue taking positives from each outing.

Salman Irshad is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant bowling performance. Acknowledges the experience that he has gained from playing in PSL and BPL, and backs his skills to deliver under pressure for his team. Says that he plans his delivery according to the field set-up and tries to stick to his plans. He admits that he loves to bowl under these tight situations and has a lot of belief in his yorkers. Also applauds the mentorship from Sir Curtly Ambrose, and he believes that his trust and confidence have always let him perform better for his team.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

Earlier in the match, the Barbados Royals, put in to bat first, rode on Brandon King’s magnificent 98 off 65 balls. He was offered a life on nought and punished the Falcons throughout, staying unbeaten till the end. de Kock chipped in with 27, while Rutherford’s 29 off 17 added spark in the middle. Chris Green’s cameo of 16 from just 6 balls ensured the Royals reached 187/4. For the Falcons, Salman Irshad bowled beautifully, conceding only 13 runs in his four overs and taking two crucial wickets, denying the Royals a 200-plus finish.

The dropped catches, though, turned the contest completely. Gous was shelled on 2 by Ramon Simmonds, on 58 by Daniel Sams, and on 77 by Chris Green, each reprieve proving costlier than the last as he went on to anchor the chase. Kevin Wickham, too, enjoyed a lifeline when Green dropped him three times before finally holding on by the substitute fielder Kofi James. Even Shakib got lucky when Simmonds failed to grab a caught-and-bowled chance when he was on 14. The Royals will look back at these mistakes with regret, knowing that sharper fielding would likely have sealed the win.

Chasing 188, the Falcons began briskly with Amir Jangoo throwing punches early on before Daniel Sams struck with his variations to end his cameo. Gous, however, took charge despite a scratchy start, including a drop when he was on just 2, and found crucial support from Kevin Wickham. The innings had its hiccups, as Karima Gore fell cheaply for just 1, while Shakib Al Hasan’s quickfire ended prematurely. The skipper, Imad Wasim, added late intent but was run out just before the finish line. With 12 needed off the last over, the Royals clawed back, but Imad’s composure and Springer’s calmness ensured the Falcons crossed the line, leaving the Royals' skipper, Rovman Powell, on his haunches in just extreme disappointment.

NAIL BITING! NERVE-RACKING! But the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have edged past the Barbados Royals in a thrilling finish, sealing victory off the very last ball with Shamar Springer coolly running two runs to complete the chase. The Royals’ gamble to hand the final over to Sherfane Rutherford almost worked, but it wasn’t to be, as the Falcons secured a four-wicket win while the Royals slumped to their fifth defeat of the season. The star of the chase was Andries Gous, who held the innings together and stayed unbeaten with a classy 85, making the Royals pay heavily for their sloppy fielding display that included multiple dropped chances.

Shamar Springer has done it for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, and a hush falls over the Kensington Oval! Celebrations in the Falcons' camp while the Royals remain winless. This is on a back of a length, over middle, Springer gets the front leg out of the way and swings across the line. He thinks he has connected it well enough for a boundary and almost runs past the stumps at the bowling end after completing the single. Soon realises it is going to be cut off by the fielder in the deep and turns around to set off for the second run. It is wide enough for Daniel Sams at deep mid-wicket to his left, and Shamar completes the second comfortably.

Shamar Springer walks out to face the final ball. The Falcons need 2 runs off the final ball. Are we going in for a super over? Who knows?

OUT! IMAD WASIM IS RUN OUT! Excellent composure from Quinton de Kock! The decibel levels go up in the crowd. This is a low full toss, on middle, Imad Wasim brings his wrists into play and hits it to the left of long on. The substitute fielder, Kofi James, runs across to his left and picks it up cleanly. Fires in a throw towards the batting end. Not the greatest of throws as de Kock has to sprint away and in front of the stumps to his left. Quinton collects it cleanly and has already taken one glove off. Turns around and fires in a throw at the batting end to catch Imad well short of the crease. 2 needed off the final ball for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons!

OUT! IMAD WASIM IS RUN OUT! Excellent composure from Quinton de Kock! The decibel levels go up in the crowd. This is a low full toss, on middle, Imad Wasim brings his wrists into play and hits it to the left of long on. The substitute fielder, Kofi James, runs across to his left and picks it up cleanly. Fires in a throw towards the batting end. Not the greatest of throws as de Kock has to sprint away and in front of the stumps to his left. Quinton collects it cleanly and has already taken one glove off. Turns around and fires in a throw at the batting end to catch Imad well short of the crease. 2 needed off the final ball for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons!

On a good length, on off, Andries Gous pumps it down the ground towards long on for one. 3 needed off 2.

On a back of a length, outside off, Imad Wasim cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Low full toss, on off, Imad Wasim frees his arms and smashes it back past the bowler. It is cut off by the long off fielder to his left. The throw goes to the bowling end and Sherfane Rutherford disturbs the stumps after collecting. The third umpire is called in and the replays show that Andries Gous did plonk his bat in but he is home.

Wide! Sherfane Rutherford goes full and wide on off but this time, Imad does not move across towards the off side. Wasim has a swing at it but misses. Wide given.

Keeps it near the tramline on off, on a back of a length, Imad Wasim reaches out and slaps it with a horizontal bat to the right of long off. Rovman Powell sprints to his right and cuts it off but cannot prevent the batters from taking the second run. 4 runs off one legal ball. 8 needed now from 5 balls.