TKR stomp Patriots to finish perfect

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) ended the preliminary phase of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament with a perfect ten victories in as many matches as they blew past St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by nine wickets, on Sunday.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Patriots could only make 77 in 18.2 overs batting first - the lowest score in this year's tournament.

Denesh Ramdin hit 19 as the TKR spinners ran through the Patriots batting. Leg spinner Fawad Ahmed, the leading wicket-taker in the 2018 edition, was at his best as he snatched 4/21 in four overs to destroy the Patriots.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein continued to take wickets for TKR with 2/25 in four overs.

The TKR spinners combined to grab eight wickets.

In reply, TKR romped to 78/1 in 11.3 overs with opener Tion Webster lashing 41 not out off 33 balls with five fours and one six. Webster's opening partner Amir Jangoo struck 19 and wicket-keeper Tim Seifert pitched in with an unbeaten 16.

Guyana Amazon Warriors ended the 2019 tournament with a perfect record also, but could not complete the job as they lost to Barbados Tridents in the final.

TKR will face Jamaica Tallawahs in the first semi-final at 10 am, on Tuesday.

Later that day, Amazon Warriors will play St Lucia Zouks in the second semi-final at 5.30 pm. Both matches will be played at Tarouba.

Summarised Scores –

ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS 77 (18.2 overs) - Denesh Ramdin 19; Fawad Ahmed 4/21, Akeal Hosein 2/25 vs TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS 78/1 (11.3 overs) - Tion Webster 41 not out, Amir Jangoo 19, Tim Seifert 16 not out. TKR won by nine wickets. Man of the Match: Fawad Ahmed.