Pooran, Hales Power Trinbago Knight Riders to Dominant Win in CPL 2025 Eliminator
Nicholas Pooran and Alex Hales put on a batting masterclass as Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) stormed into Qualifier 2 of CPL 2025 with a resounding nine-wicket victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Eliminator. Chasing a competitive 167, TKR cruised home with 15 balls to spare, thanks to an unbeaten 143-run stand between Pooran and Hales.
Falcons Falter After Strong Foundation
Opting to bat first, the Falcons started steadily, with Amir Jangoo attacking left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein early in the innings. However, the innings never gained significant momentum. Rahkeem Cornwall fell to Saurabh Netravalkar in the Powerplay, and although Jangoo and Andries Gous stitched a 108-run partnership, their scoring rate remained modest.
Jangoo and Gous both brought up their fifties in the 15th over, but their dismissals in the 16th — both falling to leg-spinner Usman Tariq in the same over — triggered a collapse. TKR seized control at the death, with Sunil Narine becoming the highest wicket-taker in CPL history by removing Imad Wasim. Shakib Al Hasan played a short but impactful cameo, smashing 26 off just 9 balls to boost the total. However, Netravalkar (3/23) and Andre Russell (2 wickets in the final over) ensured the Falcons were restricted to 166/8 — a total that looked below par in the end.
TKR’s Chase: A Batting Clinic
In response, TKR lost opener Colin Munro early to Cornwall, but that proved to be the Falcons’ only success in the innings. Hales and Pooran took control from that point on and never looked back.
Pooran set the tone with a powerful slog-sweep for six off Cornwall, but it was Hales who launched the assault with 20 runs off Cornwall's second over, including three towering sixes. From there, it was a run-fest.
Pooran was particularly ruthless on Usama Mir and later Shakib Al Hasan, as he raced to his 16th CPL fifty. Hales brought up his third CPL half-century, playing a perfect supporting role. Even two LBW scares for Pooran couldn’t slow him down, with DRS saving him both times.
By the 15th over, TKR had already reached 142/1. Pooran finished the job in style, hammering two more sixes to seal the emphatic win in just 17.3 overs. He remained unbeaten on 90 off 49 balls, while Hales scored 54* off 39 deliveries.
Match Summary:
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: 166/8 in 20 overs
Andries Gous 61 (46), Amir Jangoo 55 (45); Saurabh Netravalkar 3-23, Usman Tariq 2-19
Trinbago Knight Riders: 168/1 in 17.3 overs
Nicholas Pooran 90 (49), Alex Hales 54* (39); Rahkeem Cornwall 1-50*
Result: Trinbago Knight Riders won by 9 wickets
What’s Next?
With this dominant win, Trinbago Knight Riders move on to Qualifier 2, where they will face the loser of Qualifier 1 for a place in the CPL 2025 final. The Falcons bow out of the tournament, despite some promising performances with the bat.