During the 28th match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, the Trinbago Knight Riders emerged victorious over the Barbados Royals by 30 runs. Despite a brilliant bowling performance from Maheesh Theekshana, who claimed three wickets, the Royals failed to chase down the target of 176 runs.
Maheesh Theekshanaās early magic stuns Jason Roy
The match kicked off with fireworks from Theekshana in just the first over of the Knight Ridersā innings. The Sri Lankan spinner delivered a slower ball that outfoxed opener Jason Roy, dismissing him for a duck. The slider from Theekshana cramped Roy for room as he attempted a pull shot, missing the ball entirely, which rattled his middle and leg stumps. This early breakthrough marked Theekshanaās seventh wicket in the powerplay this season, giving the Barbados Royals a strong start.
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Another wicket in the powerplay for Maheesh Theekshanaāļø#CPL24 #TKRvBR #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #Sky365 pic.twitter.com/eDqUZVhBME
ā CPL T20 (@CPL) September 28, 2024
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Kieron Pollard leads Trinbago Knight Riders to a comfortable win
However, despite Theekshanaās early impact, Trinbago Knight Riders managed to post a competitive total of 175/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Kieron Pollard, the Knight Ridersā skipper, led from the front with a blistering 42 off 27 balls, including four towering sixes. His crucial knock anchored the innings, ensuring his team had a solid foundation.
Alongside Theekshana, Afghanistanās Naveen-ul-Haq was also a key performer with the ball for the Royals. He matched Theekshanaās efforts, taking three wickets in his four-over spell. Together, they restricted the Knight Ridersā middle order from cutting loose in the latter stages of the innings.
In response, Barbados Royals struggled to gain momentum in their chase. Alick Athanaze was the lone bright spot for the Royals, top-scoring with 44 runs from 33 balls. His effort kept the Royalsā hopes alive, but regular wickets hindered any chance of building a significant partnership. TKR bowlers were clinical in defending their total, with Akeal Hosein being the standout performer. Hoseinās superb four-over spell saw him take three wickets while conceding just 15 runs, effectively stifling the Royalsā batting lineup.
The Royals finished their innings at 145/9, falling 30 runs short of the target. The Knight Ridersā bowlers applied relentless pressure throughout the innings, leaving little room for the Royals to stage a comeback.
Win this win, TKR solidified their position in the points table, while the Royals were left to reflect on their missed opportunities as the CPL 2024 season reaches near to its knockout stages.
