It was a dominating 51-run win for Jamaica Kingsmen over the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Tuesday at Sabina Park.
The Kingsmen regrouped from a rough start to score 181 for 6 with Keemo Paul and captain Rovman Powell hitting together for a vital run-scoring deal. Paul was then the hero of the moment as he took a superb three wicket haul as the Patriots went down for 130.
Paul changes the game for Kingsmen.Paul is the game-changer for Kingsmen.
Saurabh Netravalkar had two wickets to his name after just a few overs and Jamaica were looking in serious trouble. Then there was an as from Wanindu Hasaranga as the Kingsmen winched up to 42/3 in the Powerplay.
Powell attempted to re-establish the innings but Jamaica were soon bowled down to 54/4.
Paul turned everything upside down. The all-rounder was quick to start the bowling while he was also good against Hasaranga, picking up 25 runs off 11 balls from the spinner.
Paul eventually scored 65 runs off 36 balls, including five fours and five sixes. Powell managed to leave Jamaica with a good 181/6 total, just ahead of the half century mark with 49 in his personal account.
The Patriots could not score as fast as that.
Andre Fletcher was bowled for in the first over, but had two stumping-offers before him, after Johnson Charles had been run out. Paul then struck out Kyle Mayers, putting the Patriots to 45/3 after 6 overs.
Dasun Shanaka and Nikhil Chaudhary were also out in a hurry, putting the visitors in a tight spot at 64/5.
The Patriots had their opportunity to get some hope from Kevin Wickham and Navin Bidaisee, who completed 44 runs together. However, after Bidaasee retired out, the innings came crashing down once again.
For 22 runs Jamaika took the last five wickets with Paul returning late in the innings to take the last two wickets.
Paul finished with 3/30, and it was a performance that was decisive with both bat and ball.
