Kieron Pollard’s late surge was not enough to rescue Trinbago Knight Riders, who fell short of 14 runs needed from the final over against Shamar Springer. The narrow defeat handed Shakib Al Hasan’s Antigua and Barbuda Falcons an eight-run win and lifted them to the top of the Caribbean Premier League standings.
At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday morning, Trinbago captain Nicholas Pooran won the toss and chose to field. Antigua posted 167 for six from their 20 overs, with Fabian Allen top-scoring on 45 from just 20 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. None of the other batters managed to play a substantial innings against Trinbago’s tidy bowling.
In reply, Trinbago reached 159 for six. Colin Munro struck 44 from 18 balls with eight fours and a six, while Pollard finished unbeaten on 43 from 28 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes. However, their efforts were undone by Obed McCoy, who claimed four wickets for Antigua in a decisive spell. Rahkeem Cornwall added one wicket, while Shakib bowled a single over, conceding two runs and taking one wicket.
With the bat, Shakib again failed to make an impression, scoring only 7 from 13 balls before falling to Usman Tarek, caught by Sunil Narine.
The win leaves Antigua top of the table with five points from four matches two victories, one defeat and one no-result due to rain. Imad Wasim’s side will next face Guyana Amazon Warriors at the same ground on Saturday.