CPL 2026: All round Narine steals the show

Trinbago Knight Riders secured a very comfortable seven wicket victory against the Barbados Tridents at the Queen’s Park Oval in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Sunil Narine starred with bat and ball as the defending champions dominated the Tridents. A ruthless bowling performance from the Knight Riders set up a comfortable chase as home conditions prevailed in Trinidad.

Putting the Tridents into bat first, Nicholas Pooran opted to stay away from pace in the early stages, trusting his spin options to take control of the PowerPlay. And take control they did as the Barbados side were 31 for 1 after the first six. That period saw a fascinating attacking approach from Pooran as Kieron Pollard went under the lid and in at silly point and short leg.

The decision was well-judged as the pitch provided plenty of turn from the outset and the amount of spin made it extremely tricky for the Tridents’ batters to get on top of any of the TKR bowlers. Usman Tariq continued to tie down the Tridents with a wonderful spell of bowling where he only conceded 11 runs with the wicket of Zachary Carter for his efforts. Carter himself had been steady but was unable to convert a good start into a significant innings as he fell for 28.

Pooran rode the crest of the wave and put his faith in as many off-speed bowlers as possible. Often putting fielders in the slips and in close again to continue attacking. The Knight Riders were relentless as wickets fell through the middle period. Sunil Narine’s performance was evergreen as the 38-year-old took 2 for 14 from his 4 overs. Barbados captain Chris Green looked like the only Trident who could get the ball away as he slogged away before eventually falling to a slower ball from Pollard for 27.

A last gasp burst from Rivaldo Clarke took the Tridents to 127 for 9 at the end of their innings. A low total, but no given by any means with the surface playing as it did.

It seemed the opening pair of Colin Munro and Sunil Narine had taken notes on how to play the pitch and the Tridents spinners did not have the same effect their opponents had early on. The PowerPlay yielded 60 runs for no loss as Munro, and in-particular, Narine got the home crowd on their feet and sent the ball flying around the Queen’s Park Oval. It wasn’t long after, that Narine was raising his bat, backing up his terrific night with the ball with a pinch-hitting masterclass at the top of the order.

The Tridents luck was not in as catches went in and out of hands and fell short of fielders by a few feet. Green was rewarded for his good work with the wicket of Munro. The 96 partnership between him and Narine was the highest opening stand of the tournament so far.

The Tridents did get some consolations with the wickets of Narine and Nicholas Pooran. But Kieron Pollard and Jyd Goolie were able to canter home and secure a much needed victory for the Knight Riders. The Knight Riders go again tomorrow night against the Kingsmen. The Tridents face the Patriots on Tuesday.