Salamkheil Leads Patriots to Confident CPL 2025 Opening Win
The Caribbean Premier League started with a low-scoring game in Basseterre, where St Kitts and Nevis Patriots beat Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by six wickets. Waqar Salamkheil’s left-arm wrist spin proved too much for the Falcons, as he took four wickets and set up an easy chase for his side.
Early Strikes Put Falcons on the Back Foot
Jason Holder put the Falcons in to bat, and the Patriots’ new-ball attack wasted no time. Kyle Mayers struck first, followed by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naseem Shah, leaving the Falcons struggling at 39 for 3 within five overs.
Salamkheil Breaks the Middle Order
Salamkheil came on in the eighth over and made an immediate impact. He bowled Fabian Allen with a delivery that turned sharply, then removed Shakib Al Hasan, Imad Wasim, and Odean Smith. His figures of 4 for 22 from four overs left the Falcons with little hope of building a strong total.
Gore’s Lone Stand for Falcons
The only real fight came from Karima Gore. The USA batter played a fluent 61 off 34 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. But without support at the other end, his innings ended in the 12th over when Farooqi had him caught by Andre Fletcher. The Falcons were bowled out for 121.
Patriots Steady After Minor Wobble
Chasing 122, the Patriots started fast thanks to Evin Lewis, who hit 25 from 13 balls. Rahkeem Cornwall briefly slowed them down, taking two wickets in the same over to make it 56 for 3.
Andre Fletcher and Alick Athanaze steadied things before Fletcher fell for 19. Athanaze stayed unbeaten on 37, with Holder adding 18 not out, as the Patriots got home with five overs to spare.
Final scores:
-
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: 121 all out in 18 overs (Gore 61; Salamkheil 4-22, Farooqi 2-30, Naseem 2-20)
-
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 125 for 4 in 15 overs (Athanaze 37*, Lewis 25; Cornwall 2-19)
-
Result: Patriots won by six wickets