CPL 2025: St Kitts beat Antigua & Barbuda Falcons by 6 wickets, Karima Gore hit a stormy half-century

The first match of CPL 2025 was played between the St. Kitts and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at Werner Park. St. Kitts defeated Antigua by 6 wickets. St. Kitts won the toss and invited Antigua to bat first. Antigua's batting was quite ordinary. The entire team was bowled out for 121 runs in 17.1 overs. Karima Gore was the only batsman who scored 61 runs off 34 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. Fabian Allen scored 12, while Shakib Al Hasan and captain Imad Wasim scored 11 runs each. Obed McCoy scored an unbeaten 10 runs off 6 balls.

Waqar Salamkhil bowled effectively for St. Kitts, taking 4 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naseem Shah each took 2 wickets, while Kyle Myers and captain Jason Holder took 1 wicket each. St. Kitts got off to a solid start to chase the modest target of 122 runs.

Evin Lewis and Andre Fletcher provided a quick and strong start, scoring 36 runs in 3.4 overs for the first wicket. Lewis was dismissed for 25, Fletcher for 19. Kyle Myers added 15 runs. Alick Athanje scored an unbeaten 37 off 28 balls, and captain Jason Holder remained not out with 18. The pair shared a 49-run partnership, leading St. Kitts to 125 for 4 wickets in 15 overs and securing a six-wicket victory.

Like their batting, Antigua's bowling also lacked effectiveness. Captain Imad Wasim was economical, giving up only 16 runs in 3 overs, but he was not successful in taking wickets. Rakheem Cornwall took 2 wickets for 19 runs in 3 overs. Ghazanfar and McCoy each took 1 wicket. Waqar Salamkhil was named Player of the Match.