Ali Khan’s Masterclass Downs Tallawahs

Some fine bowling by Pakistani/American Ali Khan saw the Trinbago Knight Riders ease pass Jamaica Tallawahs by 75 runs in their Hero Caribbean Premier League match moments ago at Warner Park.

TKR’s Ali Khan celebrates a wicket. Photo: CPL T20 /ESPN Cricinfo

Jamaica Tallawahs won the toss and elect to field first. TKR opened the inning with Lendl Simmons and debutant Leonardo Julien who saw TKR to a opening stand of 46 with some smart batting. The debutant was the first to go for 17, before Colin Munroe joined Simmons and the pair took the score to 84 before before Simmons was caught and bowl Brathwaite for 42. Two runs later, Munroe (14) was stumped by wicke-tkeeper Lewis, to give Imad Wasim his first wicket. Darren Bravo joined Skipper Pollard at the crease and the pair took the score to 105 before the younger Bravo made the long walk back to the pavilion for 14. At that stage, 17.2 overs was bowled and TKR were in some trouble. That however changed in a flash as Tim Seifert joined Pollard and the two right-handers went to work on the Tallawahs’ bowling. Pollard in his usual aggressive manner, hit four maximums and one boundary in an 18-ball 39 with his partner Seifert no slouch himself, hitting two sixes and 2 for 24 from just 8 balls. This helped TKR finish on 167 for 4.

Tkr’s Kieron Pollard goes for a big hit in CPL 2021 action. Photo: CPL T20

JT got off to the worst possible start as Ali Khan playing in his first game of the season, ripped through the top order in a two-over spell that saw JT reduced to 3 for 9. By the time Ravi Rampaul (2/32) dismissed Imad Wasim, the writing was on the wall. At 4 for 21, an absolute miracle was needed. That miracle never came as it was the turn of the spin triplets Akeal Hosein (1/21), Sunil Narine (2/11) and Khary Pierre (1/19) who stifled the middle order that never recovered. In the end, the Tallawahs stumbled to 92 all out giving TKR a massive victory.

With that victory TKR moved to 2nd on the table with 8 points.

Ali Khan for his bowling masterclass, was adjudged man of the match, ending with 4 for 6.

MATCH SUMMARY

Trinbago Knight Riders 167/4 (Simmons 42, Pollard 39; Imad Wasim 1/13, Brathwaite 1/16) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 92 all out (Powell 22, Brathwaite 14; Ali Khan 4/6, Narine 2/11) by 75 runs.