CPL 2024, Fit 6 Assessment: Noor Ahmad powers Saint Lucia Kings to an outstanding win over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons

Saint Lucia Kings persevered their spectacular begin to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons.

Chasing 143 in Antigua, captain Faf du Plessis were given the Kings off to a flier ahead of they romped to the objective with 18 balls to spare. It used to be a some distance much less eventful chase for Kings than their exceptional season opening win over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. 

However it used to be extra heartache for the Falcons, who suffered a fourth instantly defeat of their debut season. The house facet have been not able to capitalise on a promising get started from new opening companions Fakhar Zaman and Justin Greaves as their innings fell away after the PowerPlay. 

Left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad starred with 3/18 to limit Falcons to a modest 142/7 – the bottom overall within the CPL this season. Assistant trainer Curtly Ambrose supplied a passionate rallying cry for his staff, however the Falcons assault struggled towards the Kings’ firepower as opener Johnson Charles anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 46 balls. 

A determined Falcons were despatched in to bat in windy prerequisites. Greaves, in his season debut, attempted to offer a tonic and smashed a 2nd ball boundary whilst Zaman quickly discovered his rhythm with a shocking instantly six off seamer Matthew Forde. 

However their blossoming 35-run partnership used to be damaged when Zaman used to be neatly stuck through a operating Khary Pierre, who in a while afterwards blank bowled Kofi James. Pierre persevered to be a part of the motion when he stuck a skier from Greaves, who fell on 36 after he gamely attempted to hit into the breeze. 

The Falcons have been shackled through disciplined bowling within the center overs, not able to hit limitations as their innings flamed out. 

Du Plessis made batting glance simple and whacked fast Shamar Springer for 3 limitations and a six in the second one over. He smashed 28 in his first 11 deliveries ahead of falling within the first over from spinner Imad Wasim. 

The wicket of du Plessis and a temporary rain extend at North Sound didn’t forestall Kings’ momentum as Charles and Bhanuka Rajapaksa bludgeoned monstrous sixes. Captain Chris Inexperienced took it upon himself to restore the Falcons with the wicket of Rajapaksa within the 8th over. 

However in Inexperienced’s subsequent over when he dropped a go back probability to reprieve Ackeem Auguste at the closing ball ahead of beverages. A rampant Tim Seifert completed off the fit in taste with a six as Kings made an early season commentary. 

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