Patriots' Face Reverse Of Fortune As Sherfane Rutherford Withdraws From CPL 2024 

Sherfane Rutherford withdraws from CPL 2024 (X.com)

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots has faced a major setback as star Sherfane Rutherford has withdrawn from the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. The CPL released a statement revealing that the 26-year-old batter pulled out of the T20 tournament due to personal reasons. The franchise is expected to name a replacement for Rutherford soon.

"Sherfane Rutherford is leaving the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad due to personal reasons and will take no further part in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL)," the statement revealed.

A crucial part of the Patriots this season, the left-hander scored 35 runs at an average of 8.75 and a strike rate of 194.44, with a top score of 34 against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Fakhar Zaman Returns To Pakistan

It must also be noted, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have also faced a big setback as their  talented opener, Fakhar Zaman, has returned to Pakistan to play in the Champions One-Day Cup, where he will represent the Wolves, which is captained by wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

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Falcons Dominate Patriots In A Nail-Biting Clash

Meanwhile, the Patriots lost to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by two wickets at Warner Park. Although Mikyle Louis scored a big 63 and Wanindu Hasaranga picked up four wickets for 16 runs, their efforts were unsuccessful as the Falcons chased down 154 rapidly.

Following the heartbreaking defeat, their skipper Andre Fletcher apologized for disappointing the crowd and promised them to play hard.

"I must say thanks, but we disappointed them [the St Kitts and Nevis crowd]. It's hard and I would like to apologise as the leader as well, saying sorry for not giving them a win on home soil. But all is not lost, we still have four more games left. We still have to go out there play the cricket and play hard and we will try to win the next four,” he said.

Currently, the SNKP is at the bottom of the CPL 2024 points table, with just two points and a net run rate of -1.183 and will hope to regroup and strategize better.

They are all set for the next thrilling clash against Saint Lucia Kings on Thursday, September 12, at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. This match is a chance for SNKP to bounce back and show their true potential.

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