CPL 2021: Trinbago Knight Riders defeat Barbados Royals by six wickets

A comprehensive bowling performance from Trinbago Knight Riders helped outclass Barbados Royals by six wickets in the ongoing edition of CPL. The Knight Riders chased down 94 with more than three overs to spare. The spinners did much of the talking to rock the Royals batting in the first innings. Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre and Sunil Narine ran riot. They were responsible for seven of the nine wickets that fell. The trio conceded just 59 runs in their combined 12 overs. In response, Knight Riders chose to take the chase steady rather than blast their way to victory. The asking rate was not a concern for them. Colin Munro’s unbeaten 41 steered them through the chase, with Hosein finishing it off with two sixes to put the Royals on the brink of elimination.

As it stands! #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder pic.twitter.com/YbeUk13ZAO

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 10, 2021

The Royals got off to a flyer thanks to Kyle Mayers, whose 12-ball 24 was as good as things got for his side. At that stage, the pitch looked like it had very little to offer for the bowlers. A big total looked somewhat likely. But once Mayers fell, no other batsman could build on his cameo, and as the spinners took over, the Royals began to crumble.

ROYALS SUCCUMB

A horrendous middle-order collapse saw the Knight Riders pick up five Royals wickets for 18 runs, with all three spinners creating chaos. Azam Khan hung around with the tail without really having much of an impact, and the innings got dragged along to the end, by which time the Royals had limped to 93.

Another one gone! #BRvTKR #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/AoZ4ySVaEp

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 9, 2021

On the other side, despite a brilliant first couple of overs from Mohammad Amir, the chase never really threatened to unravel. The Knight Riders understood all they need to do was keep wickets in hand and the win was all but assured. Unlike the Royals, they negotiated the middle overs precisely. Royals’ spinners had few runs to defend, and thus struggled to build any real pressure, even though Lendl Simmons and Tion Webster departed early. Darren Bravo was struggling to get bat to ball, but the Knight Riders were always in control.

Both sides were going through the motions at the end, with the game hardly drifting and the result not in doubt. The win took Knight Riders to the top of the table, with the defending champions virtually assured a spot in the playoffs. Royals, meanwhile, have their backs against the wall and are staring at elimination.