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By Neto Baptiste
Despite an entertaining match-high of 61 from Antigua’s Karima Gore, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons crashed to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of neighbours St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, as they opened their 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign at Warner Park, St Kitts on Thursday night.
Gore smashed eight fours and two sixes as he compiled his total off just 34 deliveries, scoring just over 50 percent of Falcons’ 121 all out from 17.1 overs. Asked to bat after Patriots won the toss, Falcons’ batters struggled at the crease with the next best score coming from Fabian Allen who made 12 from 10 balls.
Player of the match, wrist spinner Waqar Salamkheil, was the pick of the bowlers for the Patriots, picking up four wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. His victims included Allen (12), Shakib Al Hasan (11), Falcons captain, Imad Wasim (11) and Odean Smith (0).
The home team, led by Alick Athanaze’s 37 not out, reached their target at 125 for four with five overs to spare. Evin Lewis had 25 at the top of the order with Andre Fletcher adding 19. Jason Holder was not out on 18.
Spinner, Rahkeem Cornwall was the only bowler of note for Falcons, claiming two wickets for 19 runs in three overs. Obed McCoy picked up one for 19 in two overs.
Falcons face the Barbados Royals on August 16 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, starting at 7:00 pm before taking on fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and the St Lucia Kings one day later at the same venue and time.
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