SKN VS ABF MATCH 1

Right then, that’s all from this one-sided contest, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots kicking off their campaign in style, while Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have plenty to reflect on before their next outing. The hosts will be back in action in Match 2 of CPL 2025 against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, scheduled for 15th August, Friday at 11 pm GMT. As always, we’ll be with you well before the start, bringing you all the build-up and pre-match buzz. Until then, it’s goodbye, and take care!

Waqar Salamkheil is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb bowling performance. Says that this was his first match for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and that he is really happy to have performed well and to see the team win. Mentions that the wicket offered him support, and he enjoyed his time with the ball. Shares that he enjoys the company of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naseem Shah and calls them his brothers.

Presentation Time...

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons simply didn’t have enough runs on the board to turn this into a real contest, and their wayward bowling in the Powerplay only made matters worse, gifting St Kitts and Nevis Patriots too many loose deliveries. Rahkeem Cornwall briefly sparked some hope with a double-wicket over, while Allah Mohammad and Obed McCoy chipped in with one each, but it was never going to be enough. For skipper Imad Wasim, this will sting - there’s plenty to ponder as he looks for the right balance to get his side on track.

Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first, Antigua & Barbuda Falcons endured a nightmare with the bat, crumbling to just 121 runs. Karima Gore fought a lone battle, playing a scintillating knock of 61 off just 34 balls, but found no one to stand with him at the other end. For St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Waqar Salamkheil was simply unstoppable, tearing through the batting order with a brilliant four-wicket haul. Naseem Shah and Fazalhaq Farooqi kept the pressure on with two wickets apiece, while Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder chipped in with one each to wrap up a ruthless and commanding bowling performance that left ABF shell-shocked.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots came out firing, with Evin Lewis smashing a few lusty blows to race to 33 in the first three overs. His stay was short-lived, but Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher carried the momentum through the Powerplay. A mini-collapse followed, as they slipped from 56/1 to 76/4, giving Antigua & Barbuda Falcons a glimmer of hope. But Alick Athanaze stood tall with an unbeaten 37, showing composure and intent in equal measure. With the skipper offering steady support, the pair calmly guided SKN home with five overs to spare, ensuring there were no late twists in the tale.

A convincing victory for the 2021 CPL champions! After finishing at the bottom last season, it seems they’ve well and truly put those struggles behind them. This was a complete team performance, and the changes made ahead of the season already look to be paying off. Jason Holder will be a proud skipper tonight, starting the campaign in such fashion, especially in front of home fans who have been waiting far too long to see their team triumph on this ground. The smiles in the stands said it all.

FOUR! Alick Athanaze with the winning runs! Fuller in length from over the wicket, on middle and leg, Alick brings his bottom hand into play and whips it in the vacant deep mid-wicket region for a boundary. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots get their campaign off to a winning start as they win by 6 wickets with 5 overs to spare!

Scores are level! Off-pace delivery, into the surface, Holder gets on top of it and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

NO BALL! Goes short, does Seales, around middle and leg, Holder walks inside the line and swings to take on the short ball. Fails to connect and the ball goes over his head. No ball given for it being the second bumper of the over. Free Hit coming up.

On top of off, on a back of a length, Alick glides it with an open bat face towards backward point. The fielder there dives to his right but the ball sneaks under his body. They cross.

Fuller in length, at pace, around the off stump, Alick Athanaze firms the drive to mid off.

Pace taken off, on a short of a length, Alick frees his arms to cut it away but misses. Well, Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have taken the review for caught behind. Looks like the men close to the bat heard something. The UltraEdge shows no bat. NOT OUT!

FIVE WIDES! Jayden Seales bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, Alick Athanaze sways away from the line. The ball sails over his head and keeps rising on its way to the keeper. The keeper, Jewel Andrew leaps but to no avail.

Angled across the left-hander, on a good length, Alick Athanaze guides it straight to backward point.

Pitched up, on middle, Alick Athanaze lofts it down to long on for a run. 9 more needed for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

FOUR! Cut away handsomely! Bowls too wide, outside off, on a length and Alick Athanaze slashes it away past backward point for four runs.