Motie’s last-ball magic sends Tridents into playoffs after Kingsmen thriller

Gudakesh Motie produced a stunning late assault after Sadrack Descarte’s half-century had kept Barbados Tridents alive, sealing a dramatic last-ball victory over Jamaica Kingsmen at Kensington Oval and securing their place in the CPL playoffs.

With 17 runs required from the final over, Barbados Tridents appeared to have exhausted every avenue in their pursuit of 151.

Instead, Gudakesh Motie transformed the contest with a remarkable finish.

The left-hander struck a four and a six, with two wides adding to the Kingsmen’s mounting frustration, before calmly collecting the single required from the final delivery to complete a sensational chase.

Motie’s unbeaten 17-run cameo carried the Tridents over the line and secured a victory that had seemed unlikely only minutes earlier.

The result confirmed Barbados’ playoff qualification. Jamaica Kingsmen also advanced as the fourth-placed team, edging Saint Lucia Kings on net run rate and eliminating them from the competition.

Descarte revives a chase in trouble

The Tridents’ pursuit had begun disastrously, with three wickets falling for 36 during the Powerplay.

Zachary Carter departed early, and Brandon King followed after a brief rain interruption. Rivaldo Clarke’s run-out then compounded Barbados’ problems.

Sadrack Descarte and Quinton de Kock attempted to rebuild the innings, but de Kock’s dismissal for 14 left the Tridents needing another recovery.

The situation deteriorated further when Sherfane Rutherford was run out after backing up too far. Keemo Paul, following through on his delivery, managed to get a hand to the ball, which deflected onto the stumps.

At 76 for five, the chase appeared to be slipping away.

Descarte, however, refused to allow the Tridents to collapse. He counterattacked Vitel Lawes with two sixes, reaching his half-century and restoring belief in the Barbados camp.

His dismissal to Andre Russell at the start of the 17th over appeared to swing the match decisively toward Jamaica.

But the Kingsmen could not close it out.

Kingsmen lose their grip at the death

The Tridents’ revival gathered momentum when Keemo Paul delivered a high full toss that was called a no-ball, a decision that visibly angered Jamaica captain Rovman Powell.

Chris Green contributed a valuable 17 before falling in the penultimate over, leaving Barbados requiring 17 from the final six deliveries.

Odean Smith was handed the ball, but Motie immediately changed the equation with his powerful stroke play.

A boundary, a six and two wides brought the Tridents within touching distance. With one run needed from the final ball, Motie completed the job, sparking jubilant scenes at Kensington Oval.

Kingsmen make strong start before spin strikes

Earlier, Jamaica Kingsmen had made a promising start after being asked to bat.

Kirk McKenzie departed cheaply, but Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan responded aggressively, carrying the Kingsmen to 50 by the end of the Powerplay.

Sadaqat then attacked Jakeem Pollard, collecting two fours and a six as Jamaica appeared poised to build a substantial total.

The Tridents’ spinners, however, gradually imposed control.

Gudakesh Motie removed both Usman and Sadaqat, halting the Kingsmen’s progress and triggering a steady stream of wickets.

Pollard and Tridents’ pacers apply the brakes

Jakeem Pollard continued to influence the innings, dismissing Rovman Powell as Jamaica’s middle order struggled to maintain its early momentum.

Daniel Sams briefly injected energy into the innings, but his brisk four-ball 10 was cut short.

Keemo Paul could manage only five from 12 deliveries, leaving the Kingsmen in danger of posting a below-par total.

The Tridents’ pacers exploited the conditions effectively with well-disguised cutters, while Pollard completed an impressive three-wicket haul.

Late contributions from Hassan Khan and Keacy Carty eventually lifted Jamaica to 150, giving the Kingsmen a defendable total but leaving little room for error.

Rain adds to a long night of drama

The contest was further disrupted by brief spells of rain during the closing stages of the Kingsmen innings.

Those interruptions pushed the match deep into the night, with the final drama eventually concluding at approximately 1:00 a.m.

By then, Barbados had completed a remarkable escape, Jamaica had secured a playoff place despite the defeat, and Saint Lucia’s campaign had come to an end.

The Tridents, propelled by Descarte’s counterattacking 50 and Motie’s extraordinary last-ball finish, had found a way through.