Defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders got their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021 campaign up and running with a six-wicket victory over the Barbados Royals. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Barbados Royals won the toss and opted to bat first but the decision didn’t go their way as an excellent Trinbago bowling display, led by Isuru Udana’s 5\/21, restricted them to 122 all out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In reply Trinbago initially made hard work of the chase before the experienced duo of Kieron Pollard and Denesh Ramdin saw them home with ease.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Royals had got off to a steady start reaching 37 runs at the end of the PowerPlay for the sole loss of Johnson Charles. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, they could not build on the foundation as Udana’s double strike removed Jason Holder and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
A counter-attacking 30 runs from Azam Khan briefly threatened to help Barbados set an imposing target but Udana’s re-entry into the attack led to the dismissal of both Khan and Thisara Perera to complete the first five-wicket haul of the 2021 Hero CPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The remaining Royals' wickets fell like dominoes to leave them on 122 all out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Trinbago stuttered in their chase of the target losing three wickets in the PowerPlay as Mohammed Amir started his spell with laser-like accuracy and Oshane Thomas followed that up by getting Tim Seifert to top-edge a rising delivery to deep square leg. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
At 38\/4 the Knight Riders were in a perilous situation, but captain Pollard took on the responsibility to take the drama out of the chase with a brilliantly constructed 58 runs from 30 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Along with the experienced Denesh Ramdin, the pair put on an 87-run partnership from 57 balls to see Trinbago home comfortably.<\/p>\r\n\r\n