CPL 2025 got off to a low-scoring start in Basseterre, where St Kitts and Nevis Patriots rode on a superb bowling display, led by Afghanistan’s Waqar Salamkheil, to seal a six-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
After Falcons captain Jason Holder opted to bat first, Patriots’ pace trio of Kyle Mayers, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naseem Shah struck early, reducing the opposition to 39 for 3 inside five overs. Salamkheil, introduced in the eighth over, struck with his fourth delivery — pitching just outside off and turning back to castle Fabian Allen. He went on to remove Shakib Al Hasan, Imad Wasim, and Odean Smith, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 22 from his four overs.
The only real resistance came from USA batter Karima Gore, who smashed a fluent 61 off 34 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Walking in during the first over, Gore single-handedly kept Falcons afloat before falling to Farooqi in the 12th over, slicing a slower ball to wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher. With little support from the other end, Falcons were bowled out for a modest 121.
Chasing 122, Patriots got off to a brisk start through Evin Lewis, who cracked 25 off just 13 balls before falling to Obed McCoy. They reached 55 for 1 at the end of the powerplay, but Rahkeem Cornwall’s double strike in the seventh over — dismissing Mayers and Rilee Rossouw — briefly rattled them at 56 for 3.
Fletcher steadied the innings with a measured 19 off 26 before falling to AM Ghazanfar at 76 for 4. From there, Alick Athanaze (37* off 28) and Jason Holder (18* off 14) guided the Patriots home with five overs to spare, sealing a confident start for the 2021 CPL champions.
