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Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs Trinbago Knight Riders, 14th Match, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - CommentaryABF vs TKR, 14th Match, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - Commentary

TKR
165/6(20)
ABF
168/5(18.3)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
shadab-khan
Shadab Khan

52*(20)1-8

So, that's it from our side. The Falcons move to the top of the table courtesy tonight's convincing win. They have a marquee clash against Guyana tomorrow so join us for another high-octane contest. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!
Moeen Ali: (On this win and the emotions they are experiencing?) Yeah, obviously very excited, very happy with the way things ended up. I guess a very good side as we know. They made it very difficult for us, but, you know, playing the extra batter has helped us in the last two games. So we're really happy. We want to make this, like I said the other day, that we want to make this a fortress and a very tough place to come and play. (On having conceded 73 in the powerplay and his thinking?) No, just stay calm. I mean, they've got some brilliant players. Taking wickets is always crucial, and I thought Nikki's wicket was a big one. But that happens in T20 cricket with the way they set up, and I've been in that situation a lot where you bowl a few good overs, you get wickets, and you can always drag it back. (On Shadab's match-winning performance with both ball and bat) He's amazing. He's such a good cricketer. He does all three very well. I thought with the ball today, with the ball being quite wet, he controlled his line and length amazingly well. But with the bat, he's been outstanding, and it's just giving him a clear role and bringing him in at the right time, really, and I think he really enjoys coming in back end of the innings, and the way he's batting at the moment is outstanding. So very, very pleased to have him. (On his dismissal) Yeah, I was trying to get it, obviously, behind. I know what Polly was trying to do, and I can't believe it carried so far. It hit the toe of the bat, but it's fine. I felt actually all right and positive, so it's fine again. (On facing Guyana tomorrow) Good. It's good. When you're playing well, they're great. When you're not playing so well, you don't want back-to-back. So we're playing well and we're ready. They're a very, very good side, and obviously I've been there for two years, and they're a brilliant, brilliant team, brilliant setup, the way they go about things. So I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully get another win.
Nicholas Pooran: (On where did they lose this game?) No secrets. We lost our way in the middle there, and that cost us, especially on a good batting track. I think we're under par by 10, 15 runs. But in saying that, the bowlers came out and they bowled extremely well, 45 in the last three overs. We take that any day. Obviously we're going to try to execute better. (On how much they should have gotten after being 73/1 in the powerplay?) I mean, again, it's all about responsibility, even I getting out there, getting to win, but getting out there in a crucial point. And Shadab came and bowled well in the first spell, and we have to give him credit. But again, just that partnership and awareness around how the tournament is playing and what's the strength of our batting lineup as well. Today we got a little bit wrong in terms of execution and situational awareness, and hopefully we can correct that. (On their bowling and whether they have the attributes of a championship-winning team?) I mean, we have three quality spinners and obviously two fast bowlers there. And it's definitely going to be a challenge for us this tournament, especially when the wickets are really good and our spinners are not getting wickets. But it is what it is, and we just have to continue to back our guys 100 percent, and hopefully next time we're in this situation it's a different result. (On heading back home for their home leg) Yeah, Trinidad has been fantastic for us over the years. Looking forward to going home there. Across as a group we need to really think about it, but we're going back home obviously losing two games out of three. Obviously a tough place, but again everything happens for a reason and happens in its time. So for us hopefully we can have a good home leg as well and see where it goes from there.
Shadab Khan | Player of the Match: (On the Falcons fans) Oh, it was amazing. We saw the last game as well, and I think they are amazing. They make an atmosphere where we can enjoy, and I think they were amazing, as always. (On Sir Curtly Ambrose and Vivian Richards) I think they are the legends of the game. If I do something special for them, I think it's amazing, and it's a great feeling because they done so much for Antigua, and I think if I give a little bit happiness to them, I think it's amazing feeling for me. (On whether he enjoyed his bowling or batting more tonight?) I think definitely both, because when I started bowling, because it was so much dew today and it was getting wet, I think I controlled it very well. And after that, I think when I came in batting, we needed, like, a proper finishing role, and I think, alhamdulillah, I did an amazing job. And I think how KP played, because he gave me confidence as well, and because one side is too much wind, and I think he did an amazing job as well. (On facing his former side, the Amazon Warriors tomorrow) I think Guyana is always a very good team, and I think we get the momentum, hopefully we continue with that, because tomorrow again we have a game. So hopefully how we played today, hopefully we'll do the same stuff. (On the Antigua fans) Antigua fans, I came first time here, about how you create the atmosphere. It's amazing, and whoever watching on TV, I request for you guys to come here and give us a boost tomorrow as well, so hopefully we will give you happiness.
23:01 Local Time, 03:01 GMT, 08:31 IST: Two successive wins for the Falcons at home and they are turning it into their fortress. Shadab's power-packed knock and Perera's calculated batting ensured that the hosts got home quite comfortably at the end. But for the majority of the innings, the hosts were under pressure. 165 was a decent score on this surface and the Knight Riders gave the Falcons a run for their money. Their bowlers kept a lid on the scoring rate and also chipped away at the wickets to gain an upper hand in the contest. But the fact that the target was not a towering one, the home side were always in with a shot. The hosts were struggling at 92/5 but the duo of Perera and Shadab changed the complexion of the game as they mixed caution with aggression to perfection. Shadab had played a blazing cameo against the Patriots a couple of days back at this venue and he started off from where he left. He played some scintillating shots to take the game away from the opposition. Perera played the perfect foil to him and also found timely boundaries. Shadab struck a 20-ball fifty and the 76-run stand off just 32 deliveries between the duo powered the Falcons to a convincing win. Shadab was particularly destructive against Edward and Hinds at the backend. A knock to remember for the ages...
18.3
F
Terrance Hinds to Shadab Khan, SIX, Shadab finishes the game off in style! A 20-ball fifty for Shadab - what a knock from the all-rounder! The crowd is up on its feet as they celebrate the home win. Was a slower delivery, Shadab made room and smashed it straight as an arrow to send the ball over the fence. Kusal Perera has a beaming smile on his face and claps for his mate. Viv Richards in the crowd has a big smile on his face and pumps his fists in the air
18.2
Terrance Hinds to Shadab Khan, no run, full on middle, Khan blocks it back to the bowler
18.1
6
Terrance Hinds to Shadab Khan, SIX, Shadab is taking his side home in style! Shadab uses his feet and moves leg-side in the process. It's on the shorter side on off but he manages to get under it and slaps it over wide long-off for a maximum. Viv Richards in the crowd pumps his fist. He is loving it
18.1
Terrance Hinds to Shadab Khan, wide, full delivery down leg, Shadab tries to sweep it to fine leg but misses. Wided
Terrance Hinds [2.0-0-23-2] is back into the attack
Over 18
155-5
6Wd6614N11(27 runs)

Shadab Khan
40 (17)
Kusal Perera
34 (24)
Kieron Pollard
1.1-0-7-1

17.6
Kieron Pollard to Shadab Khan, 1 run, a shortish delivery outside off, Shadab Khan shuffles across his stumps and pulls it over mid-wicket to retain strike. 27 runs off the 18th over
Kieron Pollard [1.0-0-6-1] is back into the attack
This was on the cards. Pollard stops before delivering the ball and gives a warning to Kusal Perera for backing up
Perera was hit on the finger on the last delivery. The physio comes out to attend to him. The magic spray does the trick
17.6
Nathan Edward to Kusal Perera, no ball, 1 run, oh, Edward bowls a high full-toss towards the body of Perera. He manages to glove it towards square leg. He lost his balance but then got up and took the single. It was the second waist-high full toss from Edward so he can't bowl anymore. Free Hit coming up...
17.5
4
Nathan Edward to Kusal Perera, FOUR, a shortish delivery angling in on middle and leg, Perera moves inside the line and helps the pull over short fine to find the fence. The inexperience of Edward is showing
17.4
Nathan Edward to Shadab Khan, 1 run, shortish delivery outside off, Shadab shuffles across and mistimes the pull but it lands well short of deep mid-wicket
17.3
6
Nathan Edward to Shadab Khan, SIX, Shadab has swung the match in the Falcons' favour with three massive strikes in this over! Edward switches to over the wicket. Shadab once again shuffles across his stumps and whips the low full-toss over deep square leg for a 93m maximum. Shadab has turned the game on its head
17.2
6
Nathan Edward to Shadab Khan, SIX, in the arc, out of the park! Shadab shuffles across his stumps and it's in his zone. He lines it up and smokes it downtown for another maximum. 25 needed off 16 balls
17.2
Nathan Edward to Shadab Khan, wide, Edward switches to round the wicket and bowls it wide outside off, it cuts the tramline. Wided
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