AI Simulation, SKNP vs ABF | Fletcher and Lewis star in high-scoring win for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Pitch & Weather

A typical flat Warner Park strip was on offer, with batters enjoying the ball nicely coming onto the bat. A good outfield and shorter square boundaries meant full value for their shots, but the spinners extracted some grip as the game progressed. A warm and humid Caribbean evening, with a light breeze, welcomed both sides to the venue, and the weather continued to remain the same throughout the game.

Toss & Conditions

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Rilee Rossouw, Mikyle Louis, Jason Holder, Mohammad Nawaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jeremiah Louis, Ashmead Nedd.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: Jewel Andrew, Amir Jangoo, Bevon Jacobs, Kevin Wickham, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shakib Al Hasan, Justin Greaves, Imad Wasim, AM Ghazanfar, Naveen-ul-Haq, Jayden Seales.

Match Report

The 2025 CPL began in blockbuster fashion at Warner Park as the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots chased down a stiff 200-run target against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. Andre Fletcher’s blistering 67 and aggressive cameos from Evin Lewis and Kyle Mayers led the Patriots to a five-wicket win in the tournament opener on Friday. 

Falcons, opting to bat after winning the toss, started with a steady hand as young opener Jewel Andrew anchored the powerplay with crisp drives and calculated aggression. He hit five fours and two sixes to top-score for the side with 52 off 35 balls. Amir Jangoo, Andrew’s opening partner, departed after making a brisk 21, bringing Kevin Wickham to the middle. His 27-ball 44, which included four fours and three sixes, injected pace into the innings. Rahkeem Cornwall continued the Falcons’ scoring momentum, smashing three sixes and two fours during his entertaining cameo of 33 from 14 balls. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with a quick 19 to help his side reach 199/6 in their allotted 20 overs, while medium pacer Jason Holder picked up 2/33 in four overs for the Patriots.

Patriots’ reply was explosive from the word go, with Andre Fletcher dismantling the Falcons’ seamers with ferocious pulls and cleanly lofted drives. Athanaze rotated well with the pair going past the 50-run mark inside five overs. After Athanaze’s dismissal, Lewis (42 off 23) kept the scoreboard ticking, hitting five fours and three sixes during his knock. Falcons clawed their way back into the game with wickets of Fletcher and Lewis in quick succession. Fletcher hit seven fours and four sixes to make 67 off 38 balls before making his way back to the dressing room. But a crucial partnership from Mayers (39) and Rilee Rossouw kept the match in the Patriots’ favour. However, Naveen-ul-Haq’s clever variations in the 18th over saw the home side needing 20 runs in the last two overs. The tension broke when Holder muscled a six straight back over Naveen’s head, taking the side to 202/5 and sealing the chase with four balls to spare. Shakib picked up 2/31, while Imad Wasim and Naveen-ul-Haq had one wicket each.

Player of the Match

Andre Fletcher was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-defining 67 off 38 balls at the top of the Patriots’ batting order.

Scorecard