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Fabian Allen’s Power-Hitting Lifts Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to Thrilling Win Over TKR
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2025) continued its streak of nail-biting finishes as Antigua and Barbuda Falcons secured a dramatic 8-run victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). A late flourish from Fabian Allen and a composed final over by Shamar Springer ensured the Falcons climbed to the top of the table in a high-voltage encounter.
Falcons Script Stunning Turnaround With Allen’s Blitz
The Falcons looked in deep trouble early after their top order collapsed under the pressure of disciplined bowling. Rakheem Cornwall gave them a brisk start but was dismissed after hitting quick boundaries in the PowerPlay. Following his departure, Jewel Andrew and Karima Gore struggled to rotate the strike, leaving the scoreboard at just 35/2 after six overs.
Sunil Narine and Usman Tariq tightened the screws in the middle overs, dismissing Andrew, Jacobs, and Shakib Al Hasan cheaply. At 70/5, the Falcons were staring at a subpar total.
Allen and Wasim Lead the Counterattack
It was then that Fabian Allen (45 off 20) and skipper Imad Wasim (39 off 28)* came together to shift the momentum. Allen smashed Edwards for 22 runs in one over, featuring towering sixes and crisp boundaries, before taking on Tariq in another 17-run over. His fearless approach brought life back into the innings, while Wasim added stability at the other end with calculated aggression.
The partnership turned the game around, with 82 runs coming off the final six overs. The Falcons finished with 167/6 in 20 overs, a total that looked unlikely at the halfway stage. Allen’s fireworks set up the platform, while Wasim anchored the chase-defining stand.
Trinbago Knight Riders Fall Agonizingly Short
Chasing 168, TKR began with Colin Munro blazing away in style. He hammered Wasim for four boundaries and a six in one over, and by the end of the PowerPlay, TKR were cruising at 47/1. However, the introduction of Obed McCoy turned the tide. McCoy dismissed Alex Hales (5) and Munro (44) in quick succession, leaving TKR under pressure.
Nicholas Pooran fell cheaply to Cornwall, and Darren Bravo managed just 2 as the chase stuttered. Keacy Carty (35 off 31) held firm with some resistance, striking timely boundaries to keep TKR afloat. His dismissal to McCoy opened the doors for the Falcons, with Akeal Hosein also departing soon after.
Pollard’s Late Fightback Not Enough
Veteran Kieron Pollard (43 off 22)* almost pulled off a remarkable heist in the final overs. With 36 needed off 12 balls, he launched three massive sixes and a boundary off McCoy to reduce the equation to 14 from the last over.
But Shamar Springer held his nerve, mixing slower balls and yorkers brilliantly, conceding just five runs. TKR finished at 159/6 in 20 overs, falling just short of a thrilling chase. McCoy’s 4/39 proved decisive, while Springer’s composure sealed the win for the Falcons.
Key Performances That Decided the Contest
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Fabian Allen’s explosive cameo (45 off 20) rescued the Falcons from a batting collapse.
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Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 39 provided the backbone for the middle-order recovery.
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Obed McCoy’s four-wicket haul derailed TKR’s batting momentum.
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Kieron Pollard’s counterattack kept fans on edge until the very last over.
This win takes the Falcons to the top of the CPL 2025 points table, adding further excitement to the tournament’s race for the playoffs.
Match Summary
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons – 167/6 in 20 overs (Fabian Allen 45, Imad Wasim 39*; Usman Tariq 2/37, Nathan Edwards 2/56)
Trinbago Knight Riders – 159/6 in 20 overs (Colin Munro 44, Kieron Pollard 43*; Obed McCoy 4/39, Rakheem Cornwall 1/14)
Result: Antigua and Barbuda Falcons won by 8 runs.
Related Articles and Resources
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