Rowley: CPL has lifted TT’s spirits

THE Prime Minister said the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League has lifted the morale of TT after the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) won their fourth CPL title.

TKR clinched the title with an eight-wicket win over St Lucia Zouks, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Thursday.

In a Facebook video, Dr Rowley said, “My heartiest congratulations to the TKR, amazing champions once again.”

He thanked all those who made the tournament a success, as it was the first time the entire CPL had been held in TT.

“I want to congratulate all the organisers of this tournament both local and international and all our international guests who came as players…TKR congratulations and my very special congratulations goes out to Shah Rukh Khan (TKR owner) wherever you are. We’ve won again.”

Covid19 cases in TT have risen over the past six weeks.

Rowley said the country needed a boost.

“It was a pretty good tournament. It did not have the best of every component, but it had a lot of good cricket and it is a good lifter of our spirits here in TT and our country was on show for the last three and half weeks and I think everything went very well from that standpoint. We are pleased to have hosted the international players and our local players and we did have a very good tournament.”

Rowley also had some words for St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. With a smile on his face, Rowley said, “At the end of the day Prime Minister of St Lucia, wherever you are, the Zouks have been defeated by the Trinbago Knight Riders – take that! Congratulations to our Trinbago Knight Riders.”

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe was elated and relieved that the CPL was held successfully during the covid19 pandemic.

In an interview with Newsday, Cudjoe said, “I am very happy to see TKR win this tournament once again. I look forward to CPL every single year.

“I am most excited to see and happy to see TT host CPL during this trying time as it relates to covid and all the planning that would have gone into it over the months.”

Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “Thank you Trinidad and Tobago and the @CPL for the tournament.”

He commended the performance of the players and staff of TKR.

“Ami TKR we rule. Awesome display boys...u make us proud, happy and make us party even without a crowd. Love u team. @TKRiders @54simmo and my fav @DMBravo46 well done @KieronPollard55 and my man @DJBravo47 love you how many now 4!!! @Bazmccullum come to IPL lov u.”

Minister of Finance Colm Imbert also shared his joy on Twitter.

“Trinbago Knight Riders have won the 2020 Caribbean Cricket League. A fantastic performance. 12 straight wins. No losses. A perfect record. All hail Pollard and (Dwayne) Bravo.”