In a dramatic turn of events in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, the Barbados Royals secured a thrilling victory over Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Eliminator match, overcoming a sudden floodlight failure that truncated the chase to just five overs. The Royals were able to successfully chase a 60-run target in 4.2 overs, thanks to an explosive innings by David Miller, eliminating TKR and progressing to the second qualifier.
Pooran Denied a Century
The match, held at the Providence Stadium, saw TKR opting to bat first. Although they lost opener Sunil Narine early on for just 2 runs, they recovered through some steady batting. Jason Roy contributed a quick-fire 25 off 17 balls before being dismissed at the end of the Powerplay. However, the real highlight of the innings was Nicholas Pooran, who was in sublime form. The left-hander seemed to be cruising towards his second consecutive CPL century, standing unbeaten at 91 off 60 balls when disaster struck.
With TKR at 168/3 in 19.1 overs, one of the floodlight towers at the stadium malfunctioned, plunging the ground into partial darkness. The match was halted for over two hours as officials scrambled to fix the issue. During this time, Pooran, who was inching closer to his milestone, was left stranded, missing out on what could have been a century and a significant boost for his team.
Royals’ Fate Hangs in the Balance
As the delay stretched on, the Royals were in a precarious position. Had the match been called off, TKR would have advanced to the next stage of the tournament by virtue of finishing higher in the group standings. Fortunately for the Royals, the floodlights were restored just minutes before the cut-off time.
Due to the long stoppage, the match was reduced to a five-over chase for the Royals, with a target of 60 runs set under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. It was a tall order, but David Miller stepped up when his team needed him the most.
Miller’s Heroics Lead the Royals to Victory
The chase began on a shaky note, with opener Quinton de Kock falling for just 4 runs off the third ball of the innings. However, David Miller, known for his big-hitting ability in T20 cricket, unleashed a blistering knock that stunned the TKR bowlers. Miller smashed his way to an unbeaten 50 off just 17 balls, hitting three boundaries and five sixes to lead the Royals to victory.
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Miller’s assault on the bowlers meant that the Royals overhauled the target in just 4.2 overs, winning the match by nine wickets and securing a place in the second qualifier. It was a remarkable turnaround, considering the situation the team had found itself in due to the floodlight failure.
TKR’s Innings: Pollard and Russell Contribute
Earlier in the day, TKR’s innings had been steadied by captain Kieron Pollard, who scored 17 off 19 balls, and Andre Russell, who remained unbeaten with a 20-run cameo off 18 deliveries. However, with Pooran leading the charge, it seemed TKR were on course to set a massive total before the floodlight failure cut their momentum short.
Despite the result, Nicholas Pooran’s innings will be remembered as one of the best in the tournament, even though he was denied the opportunity to convert it into a century.
Looking Ahead
Barbados Royals will now face the loser of the first qualifier, a match between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Saint Lucia Kings, scheduled for October 2. The second qualifier is set for October 4, with the final showdown of the CPL 2024 slated for October 6.
David Miller’s heroics have set the stage for a thrilling climax to the tournament, as the Royals now eye their path to the final, hoping to carry forward their momentum. For TKR, it was a heartbreaking exit, with floodlight failure and a Miller blitz combining to end their CPL 2024 campaign.
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