CPL 2025: Trinbago Knight Riders Storm into Qualifier 2 After Dominant Win
CPL 2025, TKR vs ABF Eliminator Highlights: Nicholas Pooran led the Trinbago Knight Riders to a 9-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL 2025 Eliminator, securing a place in Qualifier 2.
Trinbago Knight Riders have earned a spot in Qualifier 2 of the Caribbean Premier League 2025 (CPL 2025). The side won convincingly against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by 9 wickets in the Eliminator on Wednesday. The Falcons, batting first, compiled 166 runs for the loss of eight wickets off their 20 overs. In reply, the Knight Riders reached the target with ease, having 15 balls to spare while losing just one wicket. Nicholas Pooran, Knight Riders' captain, was the match hero who struck an imposing 90 runs off only 53 balls with three fours and eight sixes.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who lost the toss and chose to bat, had scored 166 runs for eight wickets lost. Aamir Jangoo and Rahkeem Cornwall shared a 21-run partnership for the first wicket. Cornwall returned to the pavilion after scoring just six runs. Aamir Jangoo then strengthened the team with a 108-run partnership for the second wicket with Andries Gaus. Aamir was dismissed for 55 runs off 49 balls, including three sixes and as many fours.
Andries Gaus top-scored for the team with 61 runs off 45 balls. His innings included three sixes and five fours, while Shakib remained unbeaten on 26 off just nine balls. Saurabh Netravalkar took the maximum three wickets for the opposition, while Usman Tariq and Andre Russell took two wickets each.
In response, Trinbago Knight Riders won the match in 17.3 overs. Colin Munro and Alex Hales shared a 25-run partnership in 3.1 overs. Munro departed after scoring 14 runs. From there, captain Nicholas Pooran and Alex Hales shared an unbroken 143-run partnership for the second wicket, leading the team to an easy victory.
Captain Pooran scored 90 runs off 53 balls, including eight sixes and three fours, while Alex Hales made a 54-run innings off 40 balls. Rakheem Cornwall took the only wicket for the opposition. The Trinbago Knight Riders will play Qualifier 2 on September 19, where they will face the loser of the Qualifier 1 match between St Lucia Kings and Guyana Amazon Warriors.
