After four consecutive losses, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons finally tasted victory in the CPL, securing a tense six-run win against the Trinbago Knight Riders. Fabian Allen emerged as the standout player, contributing a swift 25 runs, claiming three crucial wickets, and making two important catches that steered the Falcons to their first win of the season. Key performances by Imad Wasim (46), Fakhar Zaman (38), and a disciplined bowling spell from Mohammad Amir (1-24 in 4 overs) helped seal the deal in their final home match.
Batting first, Zaman and Justin Greaves gave the Falcons a flying start. Greaves struck a massive six off Akeal Hosein, while Zaman had a fortunate escape as a mistimed shot sailed over fine leg. Greaves was later dropped similarly, but by the fifth over, the Falcons had surged past 50, marking their first significant opening stand of the tournament.
The partnership was eventually broken by Sunil Narine, who stumped Greaves. Despite sloppy fielding from the Knight Riders—who missed several catches and run-out chances—Waqar Salamkheil managed to dismiss Zaman, who sliced one to short third. Roshon Primus struggled to make an impact, managing just 19 from 26 balls before chopping one onto his stumps, undoing much of the early progress made in the PowerPlay.
Imad Wasim, however, steadied the ship and kept the pressure on. He struck Narine for a six and a four, followed by another six off Salamkheil. Fabian Allen provided a late flourish with 25 off just 12 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six before Wasim was caught off the penultimate ball of the innings.
Chasing 177, the Knight Riders’ innings faltered early when Narine was dismissed for a duck. Amir kept things tight, conceding just 12 runs in his three PowerPlay overs. Andries Gous and Shaqkere Parris counter-attacked, hitting Wasim for three sixes and a four across two overs. With the Knight Riders reaching 71 for 1 by the ninth over, the partnership of 61 looked threatening.
However, Allen turned the game on its head, trapping Parris lbw and dismissing Nicholas Pooran with a brilliant reflex catch off his own bowling. Gous, who had been anchoring the chase, also fell to Allen, pulling a short ball to deep mid-wicket. The Knight Riders suddenly found themselves in trouble.
Kieron Pollard and Keacy Carty briefly revived their hopes, smashing Primus for 18 runs in one over. Carty followed up with two towering sixes off Wasim, keeping the Knight Riders in the hunt. But Amir returned to end Pollard’s charge, bowling him out just as the pressure began to mount.
With 33 needed from the final three overs, Andre Russell cleared the ropes off Primus but mistimed his next shot, giving Allen another crucial catch. Carty was soon dismissed as well, caught behind off Shamar Springer, leaving the Knight Riders with a daunting task.
The match boiled down to 14 runs from the last over. Hosein hit Primus for four, but the bowler responded by dismissing Terrence Hinds, leaving Hosein stranded. Akeal Hosein was run out attempting a risky second run, and with a dot ball to finish, the Falcons clinched a narrow but exhilarating victory.
Brief Scores: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons 176/6 in 20 overs (Imad Wasim 46, Fakhar Zaman 38; Waqar Salamkheil 2-27) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 170/9 in 20 overs (Andries Gous 39, Keacy Carty 34; Fabian Allen 3-23) by 6 runs.