A scintillating final over under pressure from Wahab Riaz meant Tim Seifert’s 40 for 16* fight went in vain as St Lucia Kings opened their account with a thrilling five-run win against Trinbago Knight Riders.

Chasing a total of 158 runs to win, Knight Riders scored a total of 102 for 3 in the 17th over when Seifert came to the crease. The New Zealand batsman hit five fours and three sixes. It all came in the 18th and 19th overs – off Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul. But 14 runs were needed in the last over. Riaz, who was robbed for 61 runs in three overs in the opening game. had held his nerves to hand the Knight Riders their second defeat in CPL 2021.

Lendl Simmons and Teon Webster hit three sixes and two fours at the start of the chase. But it was an economical powerplay as far as St Lucia Kings were concerned.

Jewelery Royal Also Ended With Economical Figures:

Apart from the boundaries, he kept things largely calm. Bowled a lot of points and reduced the singles. Only six singles were being managed which spoke of the Kings’ discipline as well as the openers’ inability to rotate the strike. As a result, he could only manage 35 after six overs to make up for Webster’s loss. Who took the top lead in an attempt to slog sweep the chase. St Lucia Kings continued to keep it tight as Chase conceded only 10 runs in his two overs in the powerplay. He conceded just seven runs in his next two. Jewar Royal also finished with economical figures as Knight Riders posted only 57/1 in 11 overs.

Last Over Ensured Victory For St Lucia Kings:

Colin Munro finally broke the bond with a six off Rahkeem Cornwall. But Simmons fell at the other end. He finds a fielder at deep mid-wicket to give Keemo Paul a wicket. Munro and Kieron Pollard scored four runs each in the 15th over off Paul. Knight Riders scored 96 for 2 in the last five overs giving 62 runs. Both Pollard and Munro struggled to get Joseph out in the 16th over. In which the required rate was beyond 14. Riaz, who still had three overs up his sleeve. Caught Pollard at long on. 50 runs were needed in the last three overs. Seifert fought heartily but Riaz’s final over ensured St Lucia Kings victory.

Carrying Rampaul on Track Helped St Lucia Kings Cross 50 :

Earlier, when asked to bat, St Lucia Kings scored a total of 51 runs. Good start from the opening stand. Which came in the powerplay. After Jaden Seals’ economical first over, Andre Fletcher set the pace in motion with a straight six off Akeel Hossein. Cornwall gets a leading edge and top edge off Seals.

In which the ball went towards the ropes both times. But on the ball of Sunil Narine, Cornwall completed his two fours. Isuru Udana, who had excellent figures of 5-21 against Barbados Royals in the previous game. Two consecutive sixes were hit by Fletcher while Cornwall pushed Rampaul on the track for a flat six at mid-wicket. Which helped St Lucia Kings go beyond 50.

Rampaul made a brilliant comeback for the Knight Riders by taking early wickets in the middle overs. Cornwall was deceived by Rampaul’s change in pace. While Hossin attributed to Fletcher. who was on a leading edge.

Rampaul then used the off-cutter and leg-cutter to good effect. Because he sent Faf du Plessis and Mark Dayal back in successive deliveries. Due to which the Kings were bowled out for a total of 69 runs for 4 wickets in the 10th over. However, the wickets didn’t stop David from hitting boundaries. While Chase was attentive at the other end.

Seals Caught and Bowled David to End a 68-run Partnership of 50 Runs:

Hossin’s figures of 1-27 would have been even more economical if David had not hit a six. A punch on the back-foot hits David for a boundary off Seals. While Naren and Udana came for some sticks from the middle order batsman. who provided a decent end to the launchpad with two fours and two sixes in six balls. Chase also joined the act, hitting a four and a six off Rampaul. Before Seals caught and bowled David to end a 68-run partnership of 50 runs. Meanwhile, Udana finished with forgettable figures of 0 for 45 as Paul took them in the final over, helping the Kings finish with 150-plus scores.

Brief Scores: St Lucia Kings 157/5 in 20 overs (Tim David 43, Roston Chase 30; Ravi Rampaul 3-29) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 152/3 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 40, Colin Munro 40) *; Roston Chase 1-17, Wahab Riaz 1-17) by 5 runs.

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