Trinbago Knight Riders created history as they beat St Lucia Zouks to win their fourth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title. Banking on a match-winning stand between Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo, the undisputed champions chased down 154 runs with 11 balls to spare.
Simmons remained unbeaten on 84 runs from 49 deliveries while Bravo chipped in with a crucial half-century to take their side to the fourth title. As soon as Bravo hit the final runs, the entire erupted in celebration and they deserve every bit of it.
Batting first, St Lucia Zouks put their best effort with the bat. The top-order chipped in equal contributions to spearhead the final. But skipper Kieron Pollard contained the opponent within 154 with a four-wicket haul. The bowlers bowled exceptionally well pull back the score which once looked to cross the 200-run mark.
Here is the CPL 2020 team of the tournament:
1. Lendl Simmons
The opening batsman Lendl Simmons may have had an up and down CPL this year but he made it count when it mattered the most. His unbeaten 84 in the final helped the Trinbago Knight Riders win the CPL title this year.
Simmons also finished with the maximum numbers of sixes tied with his captain Kieron Pollard with 20 in CPL 2020. Also, he is currently the highest run-scorer in the history of CPL and went past Chris Gayle in the final game.
Matches: 11, Runs: 356, Avg: 39.55, Highest: 96
2. Glenn Phillips
Glenn Phillips played a pivotal role for the Jamaican Tallawahs in CPL 2020. He ended the tournament with the second-highest runs only behind Simmons. He was by far the best batsman for his side who took them to the semis of CPL 2020.
The top-order has been a consistent performer in the tournament and many speculate why he doesn’t get an IPL contract.
Matches: 11, Runs: 316, Avg: 35.11, Highest: 79*, Dismissals: 4
3. Shimron Hetmyer
The swashbuckling batsman of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Shimron Hetmyer concluded the competition as the fourth-highest run-getter. The southpaw this year batted at the crucial number 3 spots and played several vital innings for his side.
The youngster will hope to bank on his CPL performance and deliver the goods in the IPL. He will be representing Delhi Capitals in the 13th edition of the cash-rich league.
Matches: 11, Runs: 267, Avg: 33.37, Highest: 71
4. Roston Chase
The all-rounder Roston Chase had an excellent CPL 2020 playing for the St. Lucia Zouks. He contributed with both bat and ball and emerged as one of the best players in the competition. Especially with the ball this year he spun a web around all the sides and picked 9 wickets with an economy rate of under 5 runs.
He also starred in the final with the ball for the Zouks as he is his 4 overs gave up just 13 runs and also picked a wicket. However, his efforts went in vain as Zouks failed to defend the target.
Matches: 11, Runs: 225, Avg: 37.50, Highest: 66; Wickets: 9, Avg: 15.00, Economy Rate: 4.65
5. Darren Bravo
The stylish Darren Bravo had a fruitful CPL 2020 with the bat. In the 9 occasions, he batted for the knight riders he made every single innings count and ended the tournament with an average of over 50. He took his side home in the final as he made an unbeaten 58 in a tense run chase.
The veteran batsman brought his experience to forefront to take his side after losing two wickets during run chase. Meanwhile, Bravo ended the competition as the third-highest run-getter in the CPL this year.
Matches: 12, Runs: 297, Avg: 59.40, Highest: 58*
6. Kieron Pollard ©
The winning captain of the champion side TKR, Pollard once again proved his prowess in the T20 format. His captaincy throughout the competition was inspiring as his side went pole to the podium. The Knight Riders remained unbeaten in the competition under the excellent leadership of Pollard.
He led his team from the front to finish with 207 runs in 11 games, averaging a staggering 51.75 with a strike-rate of 204.95 and also chipped in with a total of 8 wickets. We got to see the original Pollard after a gap of many days.
Matches: 11, Runs: 207, Avg: 51.75, Highest: 72; Wickets: 8, Avg: 18.87, Economy Rate: 7.55
7. Andre Russell
The powerhouse that is Andre Russell didn’t have a good second half of CPL 2020 but he still makes it into the CPL 2020 team of the tournament. He showed class with the bat in early matches but his form faded as the tournament progressed. He ended CPL with over 200 runs at a strike rate of over 140.
He was far away from his original best and did not shine with the ball too. The gun all-rounder will now be aiming to put his best feet forward in the upcoming IPL. His side Jamaica Tallawahs suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semis to the eventual champions the TKR.
Matches: 9, Runs: 222, Avg: 44.40, Highest: 54, Wickets: 3, Avg: 38.33, Economy Rate: 8.84
8. Mohammad Nabi
The Afghanistan player always put his hands up for his side in crunch situations. Mohammad Nabi not only picked wickets but also scored crucial runs down the order. Nabi also picked the only five-wicket haul in the tournament against the Patriots.
The all-rounder had an extremely successful CPL and will hope to deliver the goods for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 13th edition of IPL.
Matches: 11, Runs 154; Wickets: 12, Avg: 17.00, Economy rate: 5.10
9. Rayad Emrit
The only positive for the St. Kitts this year was the form of Rayad Emrit. He was the lone warrior throughout the competition as his side only won a solitary game in CPL 2020. The medium-pacer with 11 wickets was the highest wicket-taker for his side.
However, his side didn’t back his performance and bowed out of the competition from group stages.
Matches: 10, Wickets: 11, Avg: 17.36, Economy Rate: 5.96
10. Scott Kuggeleijn
The New Zealand fast bowler had a terrific CPL playing for the St. Lucia Zouks. He ended up being the highest wicket-taker of the season. He played an instrumental role in the semis for his side against Guyana and even in the final, he gave the Zouks a chance.
He was right on point with the new ball reducing Trinbago Knight Riders for 19 for two, but couldn’t save Zouks from losing the final.
Matches: 11, Wickets: 17, Avg: 15.64, Economy Rate: 7.78
11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
The magician from Afghanistan Mujeeb Ur Rahman once again enhanced his reputation in the T20 circuit. He formed a lethal pair with Sandeep Lamichhane and took his team to the knockouts. With his performance with the ball, Mujeeb is an automatic choice for CPL 2020 team of the tournament.
The youngster was lethal during the powerplay overs picking up crucial wickets for his side. Mujeeb bowled at an economy rate under 6 and grabbed 16 wickets from 11 games. He will hope to keep up his good work when he turns up for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
Matches: 11, Wickets: 16, Avg: 13.56, Economy Rate: 5.29