Antigua taste first victory in CPL T20

Beausejour (St. Lucia), Aug 7 (IANS/CMC) Antigua's Hawksbills got their first taste of victory in the inaugural Caribbean Premier T20 League, a convincing 33 run win over St. Lucia Zouks at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here.

Chasing 167 for victory, the Zouks were restricted to 133 for eight off their 20 overs Tuesday. Tamil Iqbal topscored with 33, while Liam Sebastien was undefeated on 25 and Andre fletcher scored 20 at the top of the order from seven balls.

Zouks lost wickets at regular intervals with the Hawksbills captain Marlon Samuels bagging three for 10 off his four overs which secured him the man of the match award.

The Hawksbills were sent in by the Zouks and after 10 overs had rattled up 83 for one with Kieran Powell rushing to 27 off 16 balls. His opening partner Johnson Charles hit 36 off 30 balls. Charles was second man out bowled through the gate driving extravagantly at Albie Morkel.

Ricky Ponting, who survived being run out after the television umpire ruled he was obstructed while attempting a quick single in an over bowled by Morkel eventually pulled the same bowler to Devon Smith at mid wicket when on 20.

Devon Thomas played positively in the middle overs striking a quickfire 32 off 18 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Morkel was the most successful bowler for the Zouks with two for 27 from his four overs.

Brief scores: Antigua Hawksbills: 166/6 (20 overs) Johnson Charles 36, Devon Thomas 32, Kieran Powell 27, Ricky Ponting 20. Albie Morkel 2-27.

Saint Lucia Zouks: 133/8 (20 overs) Tamim Iqbal 33, Liam Sebastien 25 not out, Andre Fletcher 20. Marlon Samuels 3-10.

--IANS/CMC

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