CPL 2024 : Johnson Charles explosive performance has propelled the Saint Lucia Kings to solidify their top position

Saint Lucia Kings scored 218/6 in 20 overs, where as Trinbago Knight Riders scored 138 in 17.5 overs.

So, finally Saint Lucia Kings won by 80 runs.

Johnson Charles’s explosive 40-ball 89 paved the way for the table-toppers, Saint Lucia Kings, as they secured an impressive 80-run victory over Trinbago Knight Riders.

After being sent in to bat, the Kings set a daunting total of 218/6 in their 20 overs, with a solid opening partnership between Charles and Faf du Plessis.

The innings started cautiously, with Akeal Hosein delivering a tight first over, but the duo soon found their groove.

Du Plessis played a stabilizing role, scoring 59 runs off 43 balls, while Charles unleashed his aggression, particularly targeting Waqar Salamkheil with three sixes in one over.

This innings marked Charles’s 21st CPL fifty, the most by any player in the tournament’s history.

After Jayden Seales dismissed Charles, breaking the 145-run opening partnership, du Plessis and Tim Seifert (who scored 30 off 17) added 32 runs for the second wicket.

However, Kieron Pollard’s late surge, taking four wickets, including that of du Plessis, saw the Kings lose 5 wickets for just 38 runs.

Despite this late collapse, the strong opening stand proved vital for the Kings.

In reply, the Knight Riders struggled to gain momentum in their chase.

Alzarri Joseph struck early, dismissing Keacy Carty, while Roston Chase claimed the crucial wicket of Nicholas Pooran, caught at short third man.

Noor Ahmad’s double strike in the final over of the powerplay left the Knight Riders reeling at four down within six overs.

Noor ended with impressive figures of 3 for 39, despite Jason Roy’s counterattack in the middle overs.

Roy, who scored 41 runs off 29 balls, was the top scorer for the Knight Riders but received little support from his teammates.

The Knight Riders slipped from 42/4 at the end of the powerplay to 56/6 before Jordan and Roy added 59 runs in a desperate attempt to salvage the innings.

Ultimately, they were bowled out for 138 in just 18 overs, with the innings concluding when Dwayne Bravo retired hurt due to an injury sustained while fielding in the first innings.