Watch, CPL | Rahkeem Cornwall’s beauty brings big-hitter Nicholas Pooran to ground

‌Antigua and Barbuda Falcons continued their winning run at home with a narrow eight-run win over Trinbago Knight Riders in North Sound on Thursday. West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen shone with the bat with an entertaining cameo of 45 off 20 balls, which included three fours and three sixes, to push the home side to a challenging 167/6 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Left-arm pacer Obed McCoy scuttled the Knight Riders’ chase with an impressive spell of 4/39 in four overs. Though Colin Munro (44 off 18 balls) and Kieron Pollard (43* off 28 balls) came up with quickfire knocks, the Kingith Riders could only manage to reach 159/6 in reply.

Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall came up with one of the most crucial turning points in the match, getting the better of destructive batter Nicholas Pooran early in his innings. The newly-appointed captain of the Knight Riders came to the crease in the fifth over with the equation set at 119 runs from 93 balls.

The southpaw struggled during the initial phase of his innings as he failed to hit a single boundary during his first 13 balls, managing just 10 runs. The frustration was creeping up inside as he gave the charge to Cornwall in the first ball of the 10th over. The bowler was clever enough to shorten the length as he went outside the hitting arc of the batter.

Pooran had already decided to go for the big hit as he missed a wild cross-batted heave and wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew whipped the bails off in a flash. The wicketkeeper-batter was late to bring his bat back as he lay down on the pitch and punched the surface in anger.

That changed the complexion of the match as Cornwall was pumped up, exchanging high fives with Imad Wasim. Pooran quietly walked back to the dugout, diminishing the chances of the Knight Riders for a crucial away win. It was a rare sight to see the batter, who is used to hitting big sixes all around the park, fail against spin bowling.

Prized Scalp!