GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A blistering half-century from Nicholas Pooran powered the Trinbago Knight Riders to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, sealing their spot in the playoffs.
Knight Riders captain Pooran won the toss and opted to bowl first on the same pitch used earlier in the day for the WCPL clash. The decision paid off quickly, as the Falcons managed just 44 runs by the end of the powerplay, losing Rahkeem Cornwall in the process.
The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Usman Tariq, backed by Kieron Pollard’s tight bowling, kept the Falcons on a leash, restricting them to 64 at the halfway stage. A 19-run over from Andre Russell offered some momentum, with Andries Gous and Amir Jangoo stepping up the scoring. Gous brought up his half-century off 38 balls, while Jangoo followed suit off 44 deliveries, building a solid 108-run partnership.
Their stand was finally broken in the 17th over, when Jangoo fell to a tired-looking shot on the boundary. Gous departed shortly after for 61, and the Falcons quickly lost both set batters within three deliveries. Despite a late cameo from Shakib Al Hasan, who blasted Narine for three fours and a six in one over, the Falcons could only post a competitive 166 for 8.
In response, TKR came out firing. Pooran and Alex Hales tore into the Falcons’ attack, racing to 59 for 1 inside the powerplay. Pooran brought up his fifty in style with a towering six off Cornwall, while Hales reached his own half-century from 37 balls. The pair’s commanding knocks ensured TKR cruised to victory with overs to spare.
The Knight Riders now await the loser of tomorrow night’s clash between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and defending champions Saint Lucia Kings to determine their opponent in Sunday’s grand final.
