Sri Lanka leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga held a spin bowling master class for Patriots of St. Kitts and Nevis during their time Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2024) collide against Falcons of Antigua and Barbuda Sunday, September 8. Despite Hasaranga’s remarkable performance, his efforts were not enough to secure victory for his team as the Falcons cruised to a two-wicket victory in a nail-biting finish.
Justin Greaves’ dismissal: Wanindu Hasaranga’s dismissal
Chasing a target of 154 runs at Warner Park, the Falcons started their innings confidently and reached 79/1 after just seven overs. It was at this critical juncture that Hasaranga came into the attack and the leg-spinner immediately turned the tide in the Patriots’ favour.
Hasaranga’s impact was felt immediately as he hit the second ball of his spell to release a well-set ball. Justin Greaveswho had already contributed 30 quickfire runs off 16 balls. The delivery that accounted for Greaves was a testament to Hasaranga’s skill and artistry.
The leg-spinner bowled a vicious flick that came back sharply to his right-hander. Looking hard at the crease, Greaves tried to defend the ball but was completely deceived. The ball sneaked through the narrow gap between the bat and the pad, crashing into the stumps and sending the bails flying. The wicket was crucial as it broke the momentum of the Falcons’ chase and showcased Hasaranga’s ability to create magic when his team needed it most.
We present the video:
Wanindu was awarded Dream11 MVP! Well done Chap
#CPL24 #SKNPvABF#CricketPlayedLoved The Biggest Party in #Sports #Dream11 pic.twitter.com/sjwsp0K1Nu
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 8, 2024
Also READ: Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024: Complete squads for all six teams
Spell of Destruction: Hasaranga’s four-capped shot
Building on the pace of Greaves’ dismissal, Hasaranga continued to weave his web around the Falcons’ kicks. He continued to claim the wickets of key players Sam BillingsJewel Andrew and Shamar Springer4/16 ends in outstanding numbers. His spell was not only economic but full of important achievements that kept SKNP in the game. Billings, another dangerous batsman, fell victim to Hasaranga’s trickery as he misjudged the flight and turn, resulting in a simple catch. Andrews and Springer were both frustrated that they couldn’t read Hasaranga’s deceptive deliveries.
Bat-fighting cameo
Along with his bowling heroics, Hasanag also made a valuable contribution with the bat. Coming in at a tough time after losing both of the Patriots’ keys, Evin Lewis and captain Andre FletcherHasaranga played an important cameo with 23 runs from just 14 balls. His innings, though short, helped the Patriots post a competitive total of 153/8.
Despite Hasaranga’s all-round performance, the Patriots’ campaign continued to struggle as the Falcons managed to chase down the target in 19.4 overs to claim a two-wicket win. Michael Louis He was the standout performer with the bat for SKNP, scoring 63 off 36 deliveries, but it was not enough to turn around their fortunes in the tournament.
