Cricholic
Saint Lucia Kings finally opened their account in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, edging past St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in a dramatic last-ball finish. After back-to-back defeats, the Kings desperately needed a win and delivered in style, holding their nerves in a tense chase to secure victory by just three runs.
Saint Lucia Kings ride on Charles and Chase 💥
Batting first, the Saint Lucia Kings got off to a blazing start thanks to Johnson Charles. The experienced opener took charge in the PowerPlay, smashing 47 out of the 60 runs scored in the first six overs. He dominated bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi and Jason Holder, reaching his fifty with flair. However, he was dismissed immediately after, halting his assault at 52.
The momentum, though, did not drop. Roston Chase and Tim David combined to build an 86-run stand for the fourth wicket. Chase was the aggressor early, racing to 36 from just 21 balls before completing a quickfire fifty. David, who initially struggled, turned the tide with successive sixes and later struck three in a row against Holder. Their partnership looked set to push the Kings past 210, but both fell in quick succession, allowing the Patriots to fight back.
In the final three overs, the Patriots bowled with discipline, conceding only 21 runs. Despite the late slowdown, the Kings still finished with a competitive total of 200/8, setting the stage for a gripping chase.
Saint Lucia Kings put Patriots under pressure 🔥
The Patriots’ reply began on a high note. Andre Fletcher went after Keon Gaston in the very first over, while Kyle Mayers smashed three boundaries in quick succession. At 42/0 after four overs, the chase appeared firmly in their control.
But momentum quickly shifted. Veteran all-rounder David Wiese and spinner Khary Pierre combined to remove three wickets in the space of nine balls. Pierre, in particular, bowled with guile, finishing with impressive figures of 2/25. The collapse continued when Rilee Rossouw fell cheaply, leaving the Patriots in deep trouble at 66/4 by the ninth over.
Jason Holder leads Patriots’ fightback 💪
Amid the collapse, Jason Holder launched a counterattack. Taking on Tabraiz Shamsi, he hammered 4,6,6 in one over and then punished Alzarri Joseph with another flurry of boundaries. His aggressive approach revived the chase, and he raced to a 23-ball fifty.
Holder’s power-hitting brought the equation down and restored belief in the Patriots camp. However, his dismissal to Roston Chase in the 14th over proved to be a turning point. Without their talisman, the pressure shifted back to the middle order.
Bidaisee’s debut fifty not enough ✨
Debutant Navian Bidaisee struggled early, managing just 9 runs off his first 16 deliveries. But once settled, he found his rhythm. Targeting Shamsi and Wiese, Bidaisee cleared the ropes with confidence and soon raised his maiden CPL half-century.
As the game entered the final two overs, the equation boiled down to 13 from 6 balls. Bidaisee struck another six, leaving just 6 needed from 5 deliveries. But the Patriots faltered in the crucial moment. Jyd Goolie failed to rotate strike on consecutive deliveries, leaving Bidaisee with the responsibility of finishing the job.
On the final ball, needing 4 runs to win, the debutant attempted to clear long-on but found Tim David, who held his nerve to complete a fine catch. The Patriots ended on 197/6, falling just short of what would have been a stunning comeback.
Saint Lucia Kings finally break through ✅
For the Saint Lucia Kings, the win was a huge relief after consecutive defeats. Their batting firepower, led by Charles, Chase, and David, laid the foundation, while their bowlers showed resilience under pressure. The thrilling finish not only boosted their confidence but also reignited their CPL 2025 campaign.
📝 Brief Scores:
- Saint Lucia Kings: 200/8 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 61, Johnson Charles 52; Kyle Mayers 2/24)
- St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: 197/6 in 20 overs (Jason Holder 63, Navian Bidaisee 50; Khary Pierre 2/25)
- ✅ Result: Saint Lucia Kings won by 3 runs
