Salamkheil Stars as Patriots Down Falcons in CPL 2025 Opener
The 2025 edition of the Caribbean Premier League got underway with a low-scoring encounter at Warner Park, where St Kitts and Nevis Patriots kicked off their campaign with a six-wicket win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, thanks to a game-changing spell from Afghanistan spinner Waqar Salamkheil.
Opting to bowl first, Patriots skipper Jason Holder saw his pace trio of Kyle Mayers, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naseem Shah strike early, reducing Falcons to 39 for 3 within five overs. But it was Salamkheil who stole the show, ripping through the middle order with a devastating spell of left-arm wrist spin.
Introduced in the eighth over, Salamkheil struck with his fourth delivery, bowling Fabian Allen with a sharp-turning delivery. He went on to dismiss Shakib Al Hasan, Imad Wasim, and Odean Smith, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 22 in his four overs.
Despite the collapse around him, USA batter Karima Gore stood tall for the Falcons. Walking in during the first over, Gore played a lone hand with a counter-attacking 61 off 34 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes. However, his dismissal in the 12th over to Farooqi marked the beginning of the end for the Falcons, who were bowled out for 121.
Chasing a modest target of 122, the Patriots started briskly, with Evin Lewis smashing 25 off just 13 balls before falling to Obed McCoy. The Falcons briefly clawed back into the contest when Rahkeem Cornwall dismissed Kyle Mayers and Rilee Rossouw in the same over, reducing the Patriots to 56 for 3.
Veteran Andre Fletcher steadied the ship with a cautious 26-ball 19 but fell just before the halfway mark. From there, Alick Athanaze took control of the chase with a composed unbeaten 37 off 28 deliveries. Supported by Holder’s run-a-ball 18*, the pair saw the Patriots home comfortably in the 15th over, sealing a clinical win with five overs to spare.
With this victory, the 2021 champions have made an early statement in CPL 2025, showcasing a potent bowling attack and a calm, composed approach to chasing under pressure.
Match Summary:
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: 121 all out (Karima Gore 61, Salamkheil 4-22, Naseem Shah 2-20, Farooqi 2-30)
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 125/4 in 15 overs (Athanaze 37*, Cornwall 2-19)
Result: Patriots won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Waqar Salamkheil