Shakib enters record books as Falcons seal dramatic win

NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC):

In a nail-biting finish that went down to the wire, the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons clinched a dramatic seven-wicket victory over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots with just two balls to spare in Game 11 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to field in their final home game of the tournament, the Falcons produced a disciplined bowling and fielding display.

Their effort was capped by a sensational final over that featured three run-outs, stifling the Patriots' batting line-up and restricting them to a below-par 133-9.

The bowling attack was led by the menacing Jayden Seales, whose economical spell of 1-20 in four overs built relentless pressure, along with Salman Irshad, who also claimed a wicket for 20 runs.

However, it was the legendary Bangladeshi Shakib Al Hasan who stole the show. The all-rounder etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player ever to achieve the double of 500 wickets and 7,000 runs in T20 cricket.

His landmark 500th wicket was a caught-and-bowled to dismiss the dangerous Mohammed Rizwan for 30. The left-arm slow bowler ended with three for 11 in just two overs.

The Patriots' innings was built largely around 32 from opener Evin Lewis, who retired and then came back later in the innings to stroke one four and three sixes in his innings.

Chasing a modest target of 134, the Falcons found the going tough against a determined Patriots bowling unit that fought to make it a tense, low-scoring affair.

The tension was high and required a cool head to see the team home. That composure came from Karima Gore, who anchored the innings with a magnificent half-century, his third of the tournament.

With three runs needed off the final over, bowled by Jason Holder, the outcome hung in the balance.

But Gore held his nerve, sealing a famous win for the jubilant home crowd by smashing a four down the ground that burst through the fielder's hands at mid-on.

Gore ended unbeaten on 52 from 47 balls with three fours and two sixes, while useful contributions came from Jewel Andrew, who made 28, and Shakib, 25, as the Falcons ended on 137-3 in 19.4 overs.

The victory marks the Falcons' third win of the campaign, strengthening their position at the top of the table with a three-point lead. However, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have played four fewer games, remain in close pursuit.