188/6 (20.0)
CR : 9.40
187/4 (20.0)
CR : 9.35
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Salman Irshad
2/13
ABF won by 4 wickets
8:23 AM IST & 10:53 PM Local Time: Antigua & Barbuda Falcons win a thriller in Bridgetown to break many hearts at the Kensington Oval. Rutherford nearly pulled off a heist, defending 12 off the last over but Shamar Springer just managed to squeeze the game away from their grasp. Powell is down in his haunches, he has no clue what more he needs to do to get the first win for the Royals this season. Jubilation in the Falcons dugout.
Earlier in the game, Barbados Royals batted first and riding on an unbeaten knock of 98 from Brandon King, they posted a total of 187/4. In the last few overs, they failed to get the big shots away and lost the momentum.
Quinton de Kock made 27 off 28 and Sherfane Rutherford scored 29 off 17. Rovman Powell and Rassie van der Dussen failed with the bat but a cameo from Chris Green, who hit 16 off 6 took the Royals closer to 190.
Salman Irshad was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 13 from his four overs. Obed McCoy also chipped in with a wicket.
In reply, Amir Jangoo and Andries Gous got the Falcons off to a decent start. They added 45 off 27 before Jangoo was cleaned up by Daniel Sams.
Karima Gore failed with the ball, losing his wicket for just 1 after facing four balls. Kevin Wickham played a nice knock of 26 off 21.
Shakib too kept up with the scoring rate, he made 15 off 12. Wickets kept tumbling from one end but Andries Gous kept going and kept the Falcons in the hunt.
Skipper Imad Wasim made 17 off 11 but lost his wicket on the penultimate ball of the game, leaving the door open for a Royals win.
With two needed off the final ball, Shamar Springer got the ball away for a couple of runs to seal the deal for the Falcons. Daniel Sams was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 23.
Ramon Simmonds and Eathan Bosch also chipped in with a wicket apiece but it wasn't enough to get their first win.
Earlier in the game, Barbados Royals batted first and riding on an unbeaten knock of 98 from Brandon King, they posted a total of 187/4. In the last few overs, they failed to get the big shots away and lost the momentum.
Quinton de Kock made 27 off 28 and Sherfane Rutherford scored 29 off 17. Rovman Powell and Rassie van der Dussen failed with the bat but a cameo from Chris Green, who hit 16 off 6 took the Royals closer to 190.
Salman Irshad was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 13 from his four overs. Obed McCoy also chipped in with a wicket.
In reply, Amir Jangoo and Andries Gous got the Falcons off to a decent start. They added 45 off 27 before Jangoo was cleaned up by Daniel Sams.
Karima Gore failed with the ball, losing his wicket for just 1 after facing four balls. Kevin Wickham played a nice knock of 26 off 21.
Shakib too kept up with the scoring rate, he made 15 off 12. Wickets kept tumbling from one end but Andries Gous kept going and kept the Falcons in the hunt.
Skipper Imad Wasim made 17 off 11 but lost his wicket on the penultimate ball of the game, leaving the door open for a Royals win.
With two needed off the final ball, Shamar Springer got the ball away for a couple of runs to seal the deal for the Falcons. Daniel Sams was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 23.
Ramon Simmonds and Eathan Bosch also chipped in with a wicket apiece but it wasn't enough to get their first win.
Time for the post-match presentation...
Player of the Match: Salman Irshad
Salman Irshad (POTM): "I play a lot of T20 cricket in Pakistan. Different T20 leagues like PSL, Bangladesh Premier League. I am a death overs specialist. I like to bowl yorkers and I bowled those today to get the success.
I like to bowl in the channel in the powerplay. In the death overs, there is nothing better option than yorkers and slower ones.
I have played a lot of these matches in Pakistan. High pressure. I work a lot on my yorkers. In modern day cricket, with batters trying to set you up for big hits, nailing your yorkers along with slight change in line and lengths is the key.
I have worked with him previously as well when I was in Jamaica. Learned a lot from him. He suggested me to stuck to my strengths and believe in myself.
This match was important for us. The score was a bit too much and there was pressure. But we kept in touch with the required rate and we knew with the kind of firepower we have in our line-up, we can chase it down."
I like to bowl in the channel in the powerplay. In the death overs, there is nothing better option than yorkers and slower ones.
I have played a lot of these matches in Pakistan. High pressure. I work a lot on my yorkers. In modern day cricket, with batters trying to set you up for big hits, nailing your yorkers along with slight change in line and lengths is the key.
I have worked with him previously as well when I was in Jamaica. Learned a lot from him. He suggested me to stuck to my strengths and believe in myself.
This match was important for us. The score was a bit too much and there was pressure. But we kept in touch with the required rate and we knew with the kind of firepower we have in our line-up, we can chase it down."
Rovman Powell (Barbados Royals Captain): "We just seem to cannot cross the line. I think as a batting group, we did well. Brandon King accelerated for us after a slow start in the powerplay. Credit to the bowlers as well, they tried well.
I think, the executions from the batters was good. At the halfway mark, we thought we had enough runs. If we took our chances, the result could have been in our favour.
It was either me or Sherfane. I could not bowl my spinners in these conditions. Green did not have a good game so that's why I went with him.
We have played a few good games and done well as teams. I discuss with the team to stay on top right throughout the 40 overs to get the win."
I think, the executions from the batters was good. At the halfway mark, we thought we had enough runs. If we took our chances, the result could have been in our favour.
It was either me or Sherfane. I could not bowl my spinners in these conditions. Green did not have a good game so that's why I went with him.
We have played a few good games and done well as teams. I discuss with the team to stay on top right throughout the 40 overs to get the win."
Imad Wasim (Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Captain): "Yes, it is obviously a relief. Coming out of Antigua and playing like that is great. Still a lot to learn but a win is a win.
Look if you drop good players, they will make you pay. That's why they say catches win you matches. The way Salman bowled was a treat to watch.
I have dropped catches as well (in the past). The thing is, you try your best, but any half-chance at this level, you should have taken it. I know there will be some hard sessions of fielding in the next couple of days, but a win is a win.
(On the run chase) I think we were under control from ball one. We lost wickets in clusters again, which we will rectify. We will try to talk to people, if you stay in the middle for some time, you will have better options of scoring runs.
The way Andries Gous played cricketing shots all over the park was fantastic, and the pieces of the puzzle are getting together. Everybody is getting in form, which is what we need before going into the playoffs.
He (Gous) obviously dropped the catch and then won the game, so that's about it. The effort and the attitude are what matter, and the result will take care of itself. The Royals tried their heart out, and it was a fantastic effort. It was a great game of cricket to watch, which is what the fans want anyway."
Look if you drop good players, they will make you pay. That's why they say catches win you matches. The way Salman bowled was a treat to watch.
I have dropped catches as well (in the past). The thing is, you try your best, but any half-chance at this level, you should have taken it. I know there will be some hard sessions of fielding in the next couple of days, but a win is a win.
(On the run chase) I think we were under control from ball one. We lost wickets in clusters again, which we will rectify. We will try to talk to people, if you stay in the middle for some time, you will have better options of scoring runs.
The way Andries Gous played cricketing shots all over the park was fantastic, and the pieces of the puzzle are getting together. Everybody is getting in form, which is what we need before going into the playoffs.
He (Gous) obviously dropped the catch and then won the game, so that's about it. The effort and the attitude are what matter, and the result will take care of itself. The Royals tried their heart out, and it was a fantastic effort. It was a great game of cricket to watch, which is what the fans want anyway."
A last-ball thriller at the Kensington Oval that ultimately slipped out of the hands of the hosts, Barbados Royals. There were far too many dropped catches across both innings, and in the end, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons held their nerve to clinch victory off the final delivery. Andries Gous dropped Brandon King for nought but he made up for it with an unbeaten half-century.
For now, this is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Raju Khariya and Saptak Sanyal. Goodbye!!!
For now, this is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Raju Khariya and Saptak Sanyal. Goodbye!!!