St Kitts and Nevis Patriots etched a thumping win over Trinbago Knight Riders by 8 wickets after riding on a brilliant hundred from Evin Lewis while chasing 160 in St Kitts on Sunday.
The Patriots openers Chris Gayle and Lewis stitched a first-wicket stand of 67 runs in six overs before Gayle departed for 35 off 18 deliveries. The left-hander’s dismissal was followed by Devon Thomas’ scalp who was undone for 1 off 5 balls by Kieron Pollard.
Lewis was then joined by Ravi Bopara and the two batsmen made sure that there wasn’t any further fall of wickets during the chase. Bopara held the fort from one end as he scored 7* off 13.
Lewis on the other hand, did majority of the scoring and notched up an unbeaten 102 off 52 deliveries that included 11 maximums and five fours.
Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers for TKR as he gave away just 10 runs in his four overs.
Earlier, the Trinbago side managed to put 159/7, courtesy a 34-ball 47 from Munro and then a late surge from Narine who chipped with 33* off 18. Narine’s knock included a total of four sixes.
The Knight Riders lost a couple of early wickets before Munro took on the onus on himself and tried to steady the ship for the side from one end.
He first stitched a 50-run partnership with Bravo for the third wicket and then added 36 runs for the fourth wicket with Kieron Pollard before getting out.
The Knight Riders then lost a few wickets in quick succession before Narine came in for the rescue. With this win, the Patriots now have 12 points under their belt.
Patriots skipper Dwayne Bravo expressed his delight on the win and lauded Lewis for his knock.
“Very pleased with the win. We were coming off three losses and to beat the best team in the tournament felt good. TKR like to chase, so the idea was to make them rethink their strategies. Great to see Evin get a hundred,” he said after the match.
The Knight Riders dropped a few catches in the middle and captain Pollard did accept that the fielding wasn’t really up to the mark.
“They have a lot of power, lot of guys who can take the game away from us. It was a good wicket and we were short with the bat. It (fielding) didn't look good and sometimes it happens. You don't want to miss the catches but that happens,” he said.
The two sides will now lock horns with each other on Sunday at the same venue.