Trinbago Knight Riders scored 175/7 in 20 overs, where as Barbados Royals scored 145/9 in 20 overs.
So, finally Trinbago Knight Riders beat Barbados Royals by 30 runs.
Crucial contributions from Kieron Pollard (42 off 27) and Andre Russell (31 off 12), combined with a strong bowling performance, propelled the Trinbago Knight Riders to a comfortable 30-run victory over the Barbados Royals in Trinidad.
This win allowed TKR to conclude their home leg on a high, while also keeping alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top two.
Sent in to bat, the Knight Riders suffered an early setback as Jason Roy was dismissed for a duck by Maheesh Theekshana in the very first over.
Shaqkere Parris, the other opener, also fell cheaply, but Nicholas Pooran provided a much-needed boost with a rapid 15-ball 27.
Taking advantage of the powerplay, Pooran found the boundaries with ease, though his aggressive approach led to his eventual downfall.
Pollard entered at No.5 and built a steady partnership with Keacy Carty (32 off 34), with both batters opting for a cautious strategy.
In the 14th over, Carty departed while trying to accelerate, giving the Royals a timely breakthrough.
However, this brought Andre Russell to the crease, and he wasted no time getting started.
His explosive cameo, paired with Pollard’s powerful strikes, helped TKR surpass the 175-run mark.
Both batters fell to Theekshana (3-35) in his final over, which prevented TKR from posting an even bigger total, but the 176 target was competitive, especially as the pitch offered some grip.
Still, the looming dew posed a potential challenge.
The dew factor kept the Royals in the contest, but they needed a strong start from the in-form Quinton de Kock.
Unfortunately for the visitors, de Kock couldn’t deliver, falling while attempting to exploit his favorable matchup against Akeal Hosein.
Earlier, Hosein had already removed Kadeem Alleyne in the first over.
Kevin Wickham (23 off 23) and Alick Athanaze (44 off 33) then steadied the innings with a solid partnership, though Wickham struggled to accelerate despite hitting some impressive shots.
Athanaze looked in good touch and kept the scoreboard ticking, but Hosein returned to break the partnership, taking a return catch to dismiss Wickham, while Chris Jordan accounted for Athanaze.
As the required run rate began to climb, the Royals found themselves in deeper trouble when Rovman Powell struggled to get going.
However, David Miller provided hope with a blistering 15-ball 30, including two fours and three sixes, putting TKR under pressure during his assault on Jordan and Waqat Salamkheil.
Miller was fortunate to survive a dropped catch by Salamkheil, but the wrist spinner made amends by dismissing him later in the over after being hit for a six.
Miller’s departure placed immense pressure on Powell, who continued to struggle, eventually falling in the 19th over as the mounting run rate became insurmountable.
TKR were smart in the death overs, using a wide line strategy to contain Powell, and with Miller no longer in the mix, the Royals’ hopes faded, sealing a comfortable win for the hosts.
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