McCoy, Allen star as Falcons outplay TKR again

NORTH SOUND, Antigua—In a heart-stopping finish under the Antiguan lights on Wednesday night, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons clinched a nail-biting eight-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders, catapulting themselves to the top of the Republic Bank CPL table in the process.

The victory for the Falcons was their third in a row over the four-time champions TKR, dating back to 2024, the Falcons’ first campaign as the CPL’s newest franchise.

Of only three matches won last season, the team from Antigua & Barbuda scored a six-run victory over TKR at their home ground in North Sound on September, 5 and also defeated the Knight Riders by six wickets when the met at the Queen’s Park Oval later in the campaign on September 19.

After being sent in to bat by Knight Riders captain Nicholas Pooran, the Falcons’ innings stuttered to 77-5 in the 14th over.

Just as the hosts seemed destined for a sub-par total, Fabian Allen launched a spectacular counter-assault.

The lower-order batsman bludgeoned 45 runs off a mere 20 balls, in a whirlwind innings featuring three fours and three sixes. That propelled the Falcons to a competitive 167 for six from 20 overs.

Falcons captain Imad Wasim was not to be outdone and weighed in with an unbeaten 39, which came off 27 balls. There were two wickets each for Nathan Edward (two for 56) and Usman Tariq (2 for 37).

The Knight Riders’ chase was built on the back of another strong start from Colin Munro, who looked dangerous on 44.

However, the introduction of left-arm quick Obed McCoy proved decisive.

In a game-changing over, player of the match McCoy removed both Munro and the threatening Alex Hales, applying the brakes to the run rate and finishing with impressive figures of four for 39.

Despite contributions from Keacy Carty with 35 from 31 balls, the Knight Riders consistently lost wickets, leaving them with a steep requirement of 14 runs from the final over with the mighty Kieron Pollard on strike.

The task fell to Shamar Springer, who held his nerve under immense pressure and delivered a masterclass in death bowling with a mixture of yorkers and well-directed short balls.

Needing 13 runs off the final delivery, Pollard could only manage a four, sealing a famous victory for the Falcons as Pollard finished unbeaten on 43 from 28 balls as TKR mustered 159 for 6.

The win sends the Falcons soaring to the summit of the CPL standings, while the Knight Riders are left to ponder what might have been, finding themselves second from bottom.

(CMC)

SUMMARISED SCORES

FALCONS 167-6 in 20 overs (Fabian Allen 45, Imad Wasim 39 not out, Jewel Andrew 22; Usman Tariq 2-37, Nathan Edward 2-56) vs TKR 159-6 in 20 overs (Colin Munro 44, Kieron Pollard 43 not out, Keacy Carty 35; Obed McCoy 4-39).

(CMC)