TKR vs SLZ, CPL Final Highlights: Simmons-Bravo Heroics Power Trinbago Knight Riders To 8-Wicket Win

TKR vs SLZ, CPL 2020 Final Highlights: Trinbago Knight Riders skipper Pollard's fiery spell (four wickets) after a power packed batting performance from Andre Fletcher, restricted St Lucia Zouks to 154 in their 20 overs.

Photo: Twitter

Trinbago Knight Riders defeated St Lucia Zouks by 8 wickets in the finals to win the 2020 edition of the CPL for a record-extending fourth time and finish the tournament unbeaten. Heroic knocks from Darren Bravo (58 runs off 47 balls) and Lendl Simmons (84 runs off 49 balls) after Pollard's stellar bowling performance, helped TKR create history on Thursday, September 10, at the Brian Lara Cricket stadium.

Simmons and Webster started the chase for their team and Kugglejin bowled the first over for Zouks. The bowler almost got an early breakthrough in the first over but luck favored the batters. In the second over, Nabi failed to contribute with his bat and was getting smacked by both batsmen now. Chase finally got the first and much-needed  wicket in the third over as Webster top edged a delivery to get him out for just five runs.

Tim Siefert was the next man in at number three and got dismissed straightaway. Kuggelejin struck this time with the ball to get his fellow countryman caught behind for 4. TKR bagged two quick wickets to put Zouks under pressure. Simmons was now joined Darren Bravo as they looked to pull back their squad back into the game. After first five overs, TKR were 26/2.

Things got even more messy for the chasing side as the spinner were now introduced into the attack who didn't let the batsmen get runs to lessen the pressure on them. In the 8th over, Nabi gave away just 2 runs in his over. Simmons hit a four off Nabi in the 10th over to bring first boundary in four overs and help TKR reach 96 runs in 10 overs.

HERO CPL 2020 CHAMPIONS! The Celebrations begin in Trinidad for Trinbago Knight Riders #CPLFinal #CPL20 #CricketPlayedLouder #Champions pic.twitter.com/2kp2qRnYjz

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 10, 2020

Simmons brought up his fifty soon after in the 12th over and move to the top of the run charts in CPL 2020. Zouks were now desperate for a breakthrough but failed to get one. TKR now just needed 45 runs in the last five overs. In form Kugglejin was bought back into the attack and he didn't disappoint his skipper as he he gave away just four runs in the 16th over. But, 23 runs were scored off in the 17th over, courtesy some remarkable hard-hitting batting display from Bravo who also notched up his half-century.

Kugglejin, the only hope for Zouks to pull off a miracle, was given to bowl the 18th over but with the run rate at 6. The star speedster was smacked for a six off his very first delivery and some few more runs were scored off his over. Bravo finally hit the winning shot to make TKR CPL 2020 champions.

Earlier, Trinbago Knight Riders skipper Pollard's fiery spell (four wickets) after a power packed batting performance from Andre Fletcher, restricted St Lucia Zouks to 154 in their 20 overs.

Playing XI:

Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Tion Webster, Tim Seifert (wk), Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Sikandar Raza, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Fawad Ahmed, Ali Khan

St Lucia Zouks: Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Andre Fletcher (wk), Roston Chase, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Javelle Glen, Daren Sammy (capt), Scott Kuggeleijn, Kesrick Williams, Zahir Khan