The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots suffered another blow in the ongoing CPL 2024 as their star player, Sherfane Rutherford, withdrew from the remainder of the tournament for personal reasons. The announcement was made during the Patriots’ last home game against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, leaving the team in a difficult position as they continue to struggle at the bottom of the points table. Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons opener Fakhar Zaman also departed the CPL to participate in Pakistan’s Champions One-day Cup, further shaking up the competition.
Rutherford’s Exit Adds to Patriots’ Woes
Sherfane Rutherford, who has been a key player for the Patriots, played only four games this season, managing to score 35 runs at an impressive strike rate of 194.44. However, his absence has left a gap in the team’s batting lineup, adding to their challenges. In the match against the Falcons, the Patriots had to rely on Dominic Drakes, a bowling allrounder, to fill the void at No.7.
The Patriots are currently languishing at the bottom of the CPL 2024 standings, with only one win from six matches. Despite a strong bowling performance from Sri Lankan wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who took four wickets, the Patriots were unable to defend a target of 153 on a tricky pitch, continuing their winless streak at home.
Patriots captain Andre Fletcher expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance, apologizing to the home crowd after their loss. “I must say thanks, but we disappointed them [the St Kitts and Nevis crowd]. It’s hard, and I would like to apologize as the leader for not giving them a win on home soil. But all is not lost; we still have four more games left,” Fletcher said, encouraging fans to remain hopeful as the team tries to turn their fortunes around.
Adding to their difficulties, the Patriots are also facing injury concerns. Star allrounder Kyle Mayers left the field with a suspected hamstring injury after bowling just two overs, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the tournament. On a positive note, South African batter Rilee Rossouw has returned to the squad after recovering from a calf injury, providing some much-needed reinforcement for the team.
Fakhar Zaman Returns Home for Champions One-day Cup
In another significant development, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have been dealt a blow with the departure of their opener Fakhar Zaman. Zaman has returned to Pakistan to participate in the Champions One-day Cup, the revamped domestic 50-over tournament, which will run from September 12 to 29. He is set to represent the Wolves, a team led by Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.
Fakhar has been one of the standout performers for the Falcons this season, amassing 159 runs in five innings at an average of 31.80 and a strike rate of 133.61. His absence will leave a noticeable void at the top of the order for the Falcons. However, the team was quick to bring in West Indies’ Brandon King, who made an immediate impact in his debut for the Falcons. King, returning from a side injury sustained during the 2024 T20 World Cup, scored 29 off 16 balls, setting up the Falcons’ successful chase of 154 against the Patriots.
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Despite Zaman’s departure, other key Pakistan players in the CPL, including Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, have opted to stay on and continue playing in the tournament. Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Azam Khan, another Pakistan player, has also chosen to remain in the CPL.
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