Desk Report:
When Shakib Al Hasan came out to bat, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons were 131 for 4 in 17.1 overs. Shakib tried his best to bat. He remained unbeaten on 26 off 9 balls against Trinbago Knight Riders. But even his brilliance was not enough for Antigua.
The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons-Trinbago Knight Riders Eliminator was held at the Providence Stadium in Guyana this morning, Bangladesh time. The match is a life-or-death match for both teams. Because the losing team will be out of the tournament. Even after he stormed for the team’s needs, Antigua did not score enough runs on the scoreboard. Chasing the target of 167 runs and winning by a huge margin of 9 wickets, Trinbago Knight Riders kept their hopes alive in the tournament.
After scoring 166 runs on the scoreboard in the current T20, it is difficult to win the match without doing something amazing in bowling. Antigua and Barbuda Falcons did a good job of taking quick wickets in a life-or-death match today. Chasing a target of 167, Trinbago Knight Riders were reduced to 25 for 1 in 3.1 overs. Trinbago opener Colin Munro (14 off 12 balls) was taken by Rakim Cornwall.
After the opening partnership was broken, Trinbago captain Nicholas Pooran, who came in to bat at number three, left Antigua in disarray. Pooran remained unbeaten after playing a blistering innings of 90 runs off 53 balls. He hit 8 sixes and 3 fours on the way to playing a devastating innings. Alex Hales and Pooran put on an unbreakable partnership of 143 runs off 86 balls for the second wicket. Pooran was named Man of the Match for the 9-wicket win with 15 balls to spare.
Trinbago Knight Riders captain Puran won the toss and decided to field in the eliminator today in Providence. Batting first, Antigua scored 166 runs for 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Andris Gauss top-scored with 68 runs. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 45-ball innings. However, Shakib made a big contribution to reaching 166. In the 18th over, Shakib played a dot off Trinbago spinner Sunil Narine. Then the star all-rounder of Bangladesh hit three fours and a six. Trinbago’s Sourav Netravalkar took 3 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs.
Trinbago Knight Riders will play in the second qualifier on Saturday morning Bangladesh time. However, their opponent will be known tomorrow after the first qualifier. Guyana Amazon Warriors-St. Lucia Kings will face each other at the Providence Stadium in the first qualifier. The winner of this match will advance directly to the finals. The loser will have to play the second qualifier against Trinbago.
