PROVIDENCE, Guyana – In a dramatic turn of events, David Miller produced a blistering unbeaten half-century to lead the Barbados Royals to a stunning nine-wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders, advancing them to the second qualifier of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Monday night.
The match, which was nearly abandoned due to faulty floodlights at the Providence Stadium, seemed to be slipping away from the Royals. The delay stretched over two hours, and with the Knight Riders finishing in third place at the end of the preliminary rounds, they were poised to progress if the game was called off.
However, the lights returned just in time, allowing the Royals to chase a revised target of 60 from five overs after the Knight Riders’ innings ended prematurely at 168 for three from 19.1 overs. Miller then took center stage, smashing 50 runs from just 17 balls to propel the Royals to 64 for one, with four balls to spare.
Heart-breaking result
It was a heart-breaking result for the Knight Riders, who had been in control for much of the match, led by a brilliant unbeaten 91 from Nicholas Pooran. Pooran, continuing his stellar form, built key partnerships with Jason Roy (25) and Andre Russell (20*), but the shortened innings due to the lights malfunction robbed them of a bigger total.
In their chase, the Royals lost Quinton de Kock early after he was bowled by Sunil Narine for five. However, Royals’ captain Rovman Powell promoted himself to open and combined with Miller to bring the game home in emphatic fashion. Miller smashed five sixes and three fours, taking full advantage of Chris Jordan’s expensive penultimate over, which yielded 17 runs. He sealed the win by smashing back-to-back sixes off Terrance Hinds in the final over, securing his 50 and eliminating the Knight Riders in a thrilling finish.
