TKR Vs BR: The CPL 2024 Eliminator of Trinbago Knight Riders Vs Barbados Royals comes to an end and in a dramatic fixture filled with lots of clean hitting and rain interruptions, it is the latter who prevails out as the winner via a 9-wicket win (DLM Method).
Keiron Pollard's side managed 168/3 in their 19.1 overs before rain interrupted the match, as yet another heroics from Nicholas Pooran saw him register an unbeaten score of 91 off 60 balls, marking his 3rd 90+ score without a century in CPL 2024.
Barbados Royals were set a target of 60 in 5 overs via DLS Method, which they chased down in 4.2 overs, as David Miller single-handedly eliminated the four-time champions via a brilliant 50 off 17, and he finished the match in some style, by smashing two consecutive sixes off Terrance Hinds.
For his exceptional knock, David Miller was awarded the Player of the Match, and with that, Barbados Royals will now await the loser of the Guyana Amazon Warrios Vs St. Lucia Kings match in Qualifier 1.
"Yeah, I suppose so! A few came off the middle. Nice feeling. Only five overs chase, you don't have any option. We had a lot of chats. A lot of thoughts as well. We were talking about the lights, wondering if it would be back on. Thankfully, it came back on in the nick of time. 60 in five overs, you have 11 batters and you'll need to target every single ball, it feels nice that it came off. We had no option and were pretty thankful for it coming off," said David Miller.
"It's a sort of Quarter-final. It's always big stakes. It didn't add up to the World Cup final. We are just happy to do really well at the backend in five overs and it was just an extraordinary game. It was a situation where we thought we weren't going to play and were happy to end the match on a winning note," said the Proteas batsman.
"We now move to the semis. We have played well at times and badly, but we hope to take the momentum into the semis (Qualifier 2) game. I wasn't well, but thankfully, it's over now, and we'll look forward to th next match," he added.
Here's What The Two Captains Said During Post-Match Presentation Ceremony
Kieron Pollard (Trinbago Knight Riders Captain):
"At that time, we were speaking about what the rules are. What will happen if the lights don't come back on. Obviously the question was asked, but it would have been dangerous for both teams. At the end of the day, the groundstaff did what they have to do to get the game."
"You prepare for any circumstances. If rain would have fell, it would have been same scenario. They had to chase 60 and well batted by Miller. Still proud of the boys. The way guys came and played consistently. If you get 14 points from 10 games, you take that each and every time. Professionalism was shown, we saw the class of Nicky P."
"Obviously, it would have been difficult for the Royals to chase but we speak about what we can control. The dedication and determination he (Pooran) shows, is remarkable. The youth coming into the team knows they have to be determined and committed. The entire team played well, we fought till the end so I am proud of them."
Rovman Powell (Barbados Royals Captain):
"I think it's the case that we get lucky. We thought we were done for the tournament at some time during the break. Once the light came back on, it was our game to lose. Then, to get 60 off 5 overs, I knew we had a solid chance."
"With Quinton de Kock and me opening, the idea was to make full use of the two-over powerplay and score as many runs as possible. We were looking to get around 25-30 runs in that phase of play, which could ease the rest of the innings. It was a case of the experienced guys taking on the powerplay. Credit has to be given to David Miller. He was onto the business and struck from ball one."
"It's a difficult one, unfortunate that lights went off. Those things happen. Unfortunate for Trinbago Knight Riders to bow out. Nevertheless, I will take that. Had the lights been on for the whole game, it could have been a beautiful game of cricket. It's a bright light and it's our blowing department. We were wondering when our luck was going to change. Good that we got little bit tonight. Hopefully, we can play another good game on Friday (Qualifier 2)."