Trinbago Knight Riders create 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.
The Kieron Pollard-led side entered the grand finale as the firm favourites and continued their unbeaten run. They finished the tournament with 12 straight wins to take home the trophy. Words fall short to describe Trinbago’s campaign in CPL 2020.
Meanwhile, Trinbago were in a spot of bother losing two quick wickets in pursuit of 155 runs. The Zouks picked two quick wickets to have Trinbago Knight Riders at 19 for two. But since then, it was a one-way journey. Two experienced campaigners – Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo paced their innings to perfection to chase down the target.
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.
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
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.
Meanwhile, the entire team was evidently elated after the thumping win. Short of breathe after the celebrations, Kieron Pollard was struggling to find words to describe their campaign. He looked competent as he congratulated every member of the side for their contributions.
“It’s a great feeling. Last year when we lost the semifinal to Barbados, you could see the disappointment on our faces. The core team had a chat and we decided to change things this time. Each game we improved and it was a total team effort,” Pollard said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Meanwhile, Twitter was also on fire ever since Trinbago Knight Riders scored their finals runs. Fans joined in huge numbers to congratulate their favourite team.
Here are some twitter reactions:
No Narine, no Bravo to bowl, no Munro and yet @TKRiders stamp their presence on the final. A team in a different league to the others in the @CPL and unbeaten in the tournament! Different players stood up like @KieronPollard55 bowling 4 overs in the final.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 10, 2020
Congratulations @TKRiders on their 4th @CPL final victory, a record 12 straight wins is some achievement. #CPLFinal #TKRvSLZ #biggestpartyinsport
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) September 10, 2020
First team ever to win a title without losing a game in the tournament.
Congratulations @KieronPollard55 @DJBravo47 @SunilPNarine74 @legytambe
The backroom staff @Bazmccullum @arsrikkanth @VenkyMysore and all the others I've missed . Well done again 👍🤠🌟🏆 pic.twitter.com/nIzZGouJCh
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 10, 2020
What a tournament for @TKRiders, doubt any team can match this in any competition 12/12
UNBEATEN
UNPARALLELED
UNBELIEVABLELosing key players throughout the tournament and still going on to win a tournament convincingly is a special effort
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 10, 2020
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 10, 2020
