Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN all rounder, Sikandar Raza excelled with ball in hand for Trinbago Knights Riders with three wickets to fire his team to a resounding 59-run triumph over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in a Caribbean Premier League fixture at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad on Wednesday.
The win was the eighth victory in a row for Trinbago Knight Riders who are yet to taste defeat and are increasingly appearing like they are on their way to a fourth CPL title.
Raza, an off spin bowler took three wickets for 15 runs from three overs, with an impressive five runs conceded per over. His superb spell saw the Patriots restricted to 115/7 in 20 overs. Earlier on, the Knight Riders posted 174/4 in 20 overs. Their innings were boosted by a superb 96 off 63 deliveries by opening batsman Lendl Simmons, a knock good enough for the West Indian to walk away with the man of the match accolade. Raza managed three not out when he came in to bat at number six.
In their run chase, the Patriots lost their first wicket with eight runs on the board when Evin Lewis went for five in the second over. Raza’s fine spell tightened things for the Patriots and they fell eventually fell short of their target.
The next fixture for Raza and his teammates is a clash with St Lucia Zouks in Trinidad on Saturday before they take on the Patriots the next day.
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Bongani Ndlovu