The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons returned to winning ways in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Tuesday night, defeating the Barbados Tridents by 30 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The result handed the Tridents their first defeat of the competition after their chase of 156 appeared to be well on track at 93 for 3. However, a devastating middle-order collapse saw the Tridents lose four wickets in two overs before eventually being bowled out for 125. They lost their final seven wickets for just 32 runs.
Falcons captain Moeen Ali led from the front with an unbeaten 56, while Joshua James produced an impressive 3 for 18. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan also delivered a decisive spell in the 13th and 14th overs to help swing the contest firmly in the Falcons’ favour.
The Falcons were sent in to bat and endured a disastrous start when Rahkeem Cornwall was bowled by a Daniel Sams yorker with the first ball of the match.
Amir Jangoo and Karima Gore both made useful starts, but the Falcons struggled to establish a substantial partnership. With the Tridents’ bowlers applying pressure, the home side appeared to be heading towards a total of around 120.
Ali, however, had other ideas.
The Falcons captain transformed the momentum, particularly during the final six overs. His unbeaten innings, combined with a valuable 75-run partnership with Shamar Springer, gave the Falcons a much more competitive total.
Ali then exploded in the final over, smashing three consecutive sixes off Sams to propel the Falcons to 155 for 5. The final 36 balls produced 72 runs, providing the bowlers with a significant total to defend.
The Tridents’ reply got off to a nervous start when Shian Brathwaite, making his T20 debut, was dropped from his first delivery. He was unable to capitalise on the reprieve, however, departing for seven.
The dismissal of Quinton de Kock, with Cornwall returning to the attack to claim the prized wicket, brought Rivaldo Clarke and Kevlon Anderson together.
The pair appeared to have settled the innings and begun rebuilding the chase, but the Falcons struck twice in quick succession. Anderson was superbly caught by Springer in the deep before Sherfane Rutherford was dismissed by substitute fielder Anderson Phillip off the very next delivery.
The double blow left the Tridents with new batters at the crease, and their innings quickly began to unravel.
Captain Chris Green attempted to steady the chase alongside Sams, but with the required run rate climbing to 12 an over, the task became increasingly difficult.
James then produced a game-changing spell to put the result beyond doubt, before Sufyan Moqim completed the victory by claiming the final two wickets with successive deliveries.
The win capped a four-match home leg for the Falcons, who once again benefited from strong support from the Antigua and Barbuda crowd.
The Falcons now return to the road, travelling to Warner Park on Sunday to face the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
The Tridents will return to action on Friday when they face defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders in their fourth match of the campaign at Queen’s Park Oval.
