[UPDATED] Nabi magic too much for Patriots

MOHAMMAD Nabi snatched the third best bowling figures in the eight-year history of the Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament to help St Lucia Zouks move closer to booking a place in the playoffs. Nabi's 5/15 in four overs led the Zouks to a six-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Queen's Park Oval in St Clair, on Thursday.Zouks now have four wins and two losses in six matches. After the win, Zouks captain Daren Sammy discussing the performance of Nabi, said, "People ask me how can you replace Chris Gayle and I said it gives somebody else an opportunity and we getting Nabi in replace of Chris (was great). We all know he is world class especially in these conditions and he has proven (that)." Gayle was supposed to represent Zouks this year, but pulled out because of personal reasons. Sammy said the Afghanistan players in the Zouks line-up are showing their worth and it helps them go further in the tournament. Nabi, Najibullah Zadran and Zahir Khan are all from Afghanistan. Off-spinner Nabi was out the gates quickly as he grabbed the first four Patriots wickets to leave them in trouble on 11/4 after three overs. Opener Chris Lynn was first to return to the pavilion when he was caught and bowled for duck in the first over of the match and in the same over, Nick Kelly (duck) was caught by Rahkeem Cornwall at first slip. Nabi took two more wickets in his second over as Denesh Ramdin was caught for nine attempting to hit a six, before Evin Lewis was caught for one trying to sweep. Patriots did not roll over and die as short partnerships for the remainder of the innings took the Patriots to 110/9 in 20 overs. Ben Dunk struck 33 off 37 deliveries with two sixes, but would have liked to hang around a bit longer as he was caught at the mid wicket boundary by Scott Kuggeleijn to give spinner Cornwall the wicket. When Dunk was sent packing Patriots were still in need of runs as they were 62/6 after 14 overs. Nabi completed his five-wicket haul when he dismissed Sohail Tanvir for 12. Alzarri Joseph and captain Rayad Emrit helped get the Patriots past 100 with some hefty blows. Joseph ended on 21 not out and Emrit struck 16. In reply, Zouks got to 111/4 in 14.4 overs. Cornwall played with his usual aggression at the top of the order. He struck two fours and three sixes in his knock of 26 off 11 balls, before he was bowled by leg spinner Imran Khan. The players left the field because of rain after the fall of Cornwall's wicket with Zouks 30/1 after 2.5 overs. After a 30-minute interruption, Mark Deyal was dismissed first ball after the resumption.It was 52/3 after seven overs when Andre Fletcher was caught at mid-wicket for 16, but Roston Chase and Zadran took the game away from the Patriots as they were 79/3 after ten overs at the innings break. The diminutive Zadran demonstrated his power with some boundaries, but could not see the Zouks home as he was caught by Joseph running in from the boundary at wide long on to give Dunk the wicket. He scored 33 off 24 balls with four fours and one six. Javelle Glen hit a six when he arrived at the crease, before Chase ended the match with a four through mid wicket. Khan was the pick of the bowlers grabbing 3/23 in four overs.

SUMMARISED SCORES

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 110/9 (20 overs) (Ben Dunk 33, Alzarri Joseph 21 not out; Mohammed Nabi 5/15) vs St Lucia Zouks 111/4 (14.4 overs) (Najibullah Zadran 33, Roston Chase 27 not out, Rahkeem Cornwall 26; Imran Khan 3/23) Zouks won by six wickets

This story was originally published with the title "Zouks win behind Nabi magic" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

MOHAMMED Nabi snatched the third best bowling figures in the eight-year history of the Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament to help St Lucia Zouks move closer to booking a place in the play-offs.

Nabi's 5/15 in four overs led the Zouks to a six-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Queen's Park Oval in St Clair, on Thursday. Zouks now have four wins and two losses and are currently second in the standings behind Trinbago Knight Riders.

Nabi's spell destroyed the Patriots top-order and they never fully recovered as they could only post 110/9 in 20 overs. Ben Dunk hit 33 and some entertainment at the end of the innings by Alzarri Joseph (21 not out) helped Patriots past 100.

In reply, the Zouks were 30/1 after 2.5 overs when rain stopped play for approximately 30 minutes. Zouks were restricted to 52/3 after seven overs, but a 47-run partnership between Roston Chase and Najibullah Zadran helped set up the comfortable win. Zadran was dismissed for 33 and Chase ended unbeaten on 27. Earlier in the innings Rahkeem Cornwall lashed 26. Leg spinner Imran Khan was the best bowler for Patriots with 3/23 in four overs.

SUMMARISED SCORES

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 110/9 (20 overs) (Ben Dunk 33, Alzarri Joseph 21 not out; Mohammed Nabi 5/15) vs St Lucia Zouks 111/4 (14.4 overs) (Najibullah Zadran 33, Roston Chase 27 not out, Rahkeem Cornwall 26; Imran Khan 3/23) Zouks won by six wickets