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By Samuel Peters
Leeward Islands Hurricanes batting all-rounder Karima Gore delivered a match-winning performance for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, scoring an unbeaten 52 from 47 balls to guide his team to a seven-wicket victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their Caribbean Premier League derby at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Gore’s composed half-century anchored the Falcons’ chase of 134, as they reached their target with two balls to spare after winning the toss and electing to field first. The experienced campaigner struck four boundaries in his knock, displaying the form that has made him a key player for both franchise and regional cricket.
The victory provided sweet revenge for the Falcons, who had suffered a six-wicket defeat to the Patriots in their tournament opener. This time, the roles were reversed as the Falcons’ bowling attack restricted the Patriots to 133/9 in their 20 overs. West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales led the charge with exceptional figures of 1/20 from four overs, bowling an outstanding 16 dot balls to suffocate the Patriots’ scoring rate. He was perfectly complemented by newcomer Salman Irshad, who mirrored Seales’ economical figures with 1/20 from his four-over spell.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan proved the most destructive with the ball, claiming 3/11 from two overs to dismantle the Patriots’ middle order. His wickets included the dangerous Kyle Mayers (18) and Mohammad Rizwan (30), who had threatened to build a substantial total.
Despite a fighting 32 from Evin Lewis and Rizwan’s 30, the Patriots struggled against disciplined Falcons bowling. Andre Fletcher managed just 16, while the experienced Jason Holder could only muster 9 before being run out as the Patriots failed to build meaningful partnerships.
In reply, the Falcons lost early wickets with Jewel Andrew (28) and Rahkeem Cornwall (16) departing in the first 10 overs. However, Gore steadied the innings with a crucial 35-run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan, who contributed a brisk 25 from 18 balls before being stumped.
Gore remained unbeaten throughout the chase, finding the boundary when needed and rotating the strike effectively. His innings exemplified the experience and temperament that has made him a valuable asset in T20 cricket, guiding the Falcons home alongside Andries Gous, who finished unbeaten on 9.
The victory leveled the season series between these Caribbean rivals and maintains the Falcons’ strong position in the CPL standings. Gore’s performance will boost confidence ahead of the Falcon’s remaining fixtures of the CPL Season as they head on the road with their next match on Wednesday against the St Lucia Kings.
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