Fabian Allen played a pivotal role as the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons finally secured their first win in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after 4 consecutive losses.
Falcons defeated the Trinbago Knight Riders by a narrow margin of 6 runs because of an impressive all-round performance by Allen. His quickfire 25 runs, 3 crucial wickets, and 2 catches were key moments in turning the game in favor of the Falcons.
The match saw significant contributions from other key players as well. Imad Wasim’s 46 runs and Fakhar Zaman 38 runs helped set a competitive total of 176/6 for the Falcons.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir bowled economically, conceding just 24 runs in his 4 overs, adding to the team’s defensive strength.
The Falcons got off to a decent start, with Zaman and Justin Greaves providing their first 50-run opening stand of the tournament.
Despite losing back to back wickets, the team managed to maintain pressure with key knocks, including Allen’s late-order batting.
In response, the Knight Riders initiate a solid chase, with Andries Gous and Shaqkere Parris building a strong partnership. However, Allen’s magic with the ball broke the momentum, dismissing Parris and Nicholas Pooran in back-to-back deliveries.
As the Knight Riders’ middle-order struggled, Amir returned to remove the dangerous Kieron Pollard, leaving the game more interesting.
In the end, the Knight Riders required 14 runs off the last over, but the Falcons’ bowlers held their nerve, with Allen taking a crucial catch to dismiss Andre Russell. This thrilling contest ended with the Falcons claiming their much-needed first win of the season, a victory that will boost their confidence moving forward.