The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons claimed an eight-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders in the final game of the season at the Queen’s Park Oval in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The loss is the Knight Riders’ third straight defeat, and they finish their homestand having lost four of their five matches. Hasan Nawaz was the standout performer with the bat, while Rahkeem Cornwall and Joshua James brought it home with the ball for the Falcons, who notched another win after a rain-cancelled fixture against the Patriots.

The Falcons made a promising start in the PowerPlay, with Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall putting on a decent 40-run partnership before Cornwall chopped on off the bowling of Usman Tariq. This was the 17th consecutive CPL match in which he has taken a wicket. The Knight Riders had a chance to send Lewis back for 16, but the catch was put down by Terrance Hinds. The Knight Riders have relied on their spinners to bowl a tight first six overs, but the Falcons did not allow themselves to get bogged down and reached 43 for one at the end of the PowerPlay.

Dropped catches would plague the Knight Riders again shortly after, as Moeen Ali was dropped on one by Akeal Hosein. By this time, Hasan Nawaz was establishing himself in the innings and looked to be the man to spearhead the Falcons’ effort. He reached his half-century in 36 balls, with Moeen Ali, on his second lifeline, supporting from the other end. Nawaz was eventually caught by Alex Hales off the bowling of Lahiru Kumara for 76.

The Falcons cleverly picked their targets, while Usman Tariq and Sunil Narine showed respect, finishing with tidy figures. The Falcons’ skipper was there at the end, finding a boundary off the last ball to take the Falcons to 183 for four at the end of 20 overs.

The Knight Riders approached the PowerPlay with a high-risk, high-reward strategy, scoring 63 runs for the loss of four wickets. Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran both got starts but fell to Rahkeem Cornwall, who was the man for the occasion in the Falcons’ attack. He finished the PowerPlay with an outstanding spell, taking three for 17 to peg the Knight Riders’ chase back.

Kieron Pollard, hampered by an existing injury, looked to put the team on his back once again, as his 55-run partnership with Joshua Da Silva kept the Knight Riders in touch heading into the last five overs. But when he was pouched smartly by Jayden Seales, it looked an uphill task from there. The impressive Joshua James was the man to claim the crucial wicket. He and Sharmar Springer combined to set James up with a comfortable 25-run cushion in the final over, which was well executed.

Joshua Da Silva brought up his half-century by hitting a six off the final ball and finished unbeaten on 54. However, this was nothing more than a consolation, as the Knight Riders have potentially played themselves out of play-off contention. The Falcons reclaim top spot for now and are in a strong position to qualify. (CPL)