CPL 2024: Falcons win Warner Park thriller against Patriots

Brandon King of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons hits a six during the Men’s 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Match 11 between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 8, 2024 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

From then on the plain sailing was over as the Falcons lost regular wickets and the match remained too close to call.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the main architect of the damage with the ball for the visitors, the Sri Lankan all-rounder’s leg-breaks and assorted varieties posing a constant threat.

Justin Greaves, Sam Billings, the dangerous Jewel Andrew and Shamar Springer were all pocketed by Hasaranga in a devastating period of top-quality spin bowling.

At 110-7 when Billings departed the scene, it looked as if the Falcons’ wings had been clipped and that the duel was going the way of the Patriots.

Wanindu Hasaranga of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots celebrates the dismissal of Sam Billings of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons during the Men’s 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Match 11 between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 8, 2024 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Roshon Primus and Imad Wasim combined effectively to hit the gaps in the field and take every single run on offer in order to eke their way closer to the target. With three overs to go the Falcons required 22 runs to win with three wickets in hand.

Dominic Drakes was summoned into the attack and bowled a frugal over that was hit for just six runs to leave the equation as 15 runs needed from 12 balls. Primus was then caught off backward point off Nortje as the pendulum swung towards Patriots in the penultimate over.

With 11 runs needed from the final over, Fabian Allen stole the game at the last for the Falcons, smiting consecutive Drakes short balls for six and four into the leg side and scampering the single needed for victory with two balls remaining.

Imad Wasim was named Player-of-the-Match for his 17 not out and 2-24 with the ball as the victory took the Falcons to third in the table and left the Patriots bottom of the table after suffering their fifth defeat on the bounce. (CPL)

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