CPL 2016, Match 1 Review: Zouks kick off CPL campaign with a 6-wicket win

It was the first match of the much anticipated CPL 2016. St. Lucia Zouks defeated the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders by six wickets at Port of Spain. Darren Sammy called rightly at the toss and asked the opposition to bat first.

The wicket was a bit difficult for the batsmen, but it got better as the game progressed. Hashim Amla and Brendon McCullum opened the batting for the Knight Riders, but both failed to impress and ended up getting out on 12 and 26 respectively. McCullum was the first to go after misjudging a delivery and played down the wrong line to give a simple catch to Sammy off the bowling of Derone Davis.

Amla tried to repeat an inside-out shot against the debutant Nitish Kumar but toe-ended it into the hands of cover point. And this wicket brought Darren Bravo to the middle. He remained unbeaten for a 44-ball 63 which helped his side post a decent total of 162. Umar Akmal contributed almost a run-a-ball 30.

Johnson Charles and Watson began the run chase in strong fashion. Charles kept on finding the boundaries, while Watson was happy to rotate the strike. But the latter was dismissed by Bravo when the partnership was looking dangerous. Charles (52) scored a six and a boundary in the 10th over to take the Zouks to 85 for one at the halfway mark.

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With the required run rate climbing close to 10, David Miller (33 not out) plundered Ronsford Beaton (0-32) for a six and 2 boundaries in the 17th over to bring down the target to 23 off 18 deliveries.

Despite losing Michael Hussey (16), Miller and Darren Sammy (11 not out) ensured the Zouks reached the target in 19.1 overs with six wickets in hand. Three runs were needed in the last over and Miller just took one ball to finish off the match. Charles was adjudged the man of the match for his match-winning fifty.

Brief Scores:

Trinbago Knight Riders – 162/6 in 20 overs (Darren Bravo 63, S Watson 3/26)

St Lucia Zouks – 164/4 in 19.1 overs (J Charles 52, D Miller 38, Sunil Narine 2/25)

Man of the match: Johnson Charles