CPL 2025 Match 10: Trinbago Knight Riders Outclass Saint Lucia Kings by 18 Runs

Venue & Occasion

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 continues to produce fireworks, and Match 10 at the iconic Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia was no exception. Under the dazzling floodlights and in front of a passionate home crowd, the Saint Lucia Kings locked horns with the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). With both teams eager to strengthen their standings in the points table, the game promised intensity, drama, and big hitting — and it delivered in style.

Toss & First Innings – Pollard Turns Back the Clock

Saint Lucia Kings captain David Wiese won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to exploit home conditions and restrict TKR to a modest total.

The Knight Riders began steadily, thanks to Alex Hales and Colin Munro, who made sure the early overs were productive without reckless risks. Hales departed early for 10, but Munro’s 43 off 30 balls anchored the innings. His ability to pierce gaps and rotate strike allowed TKR to maintain a strong powerplay score of 58/1.

Nicholas Pooran then joined the action, playing a composed knock of 34 from 30 deliveries, mixing boundaries with smart singles. However, just as the Kings began to claw back momentum with disciplined bowling, Kieron Pollard entered the scene — and completely changed the narrative.

Pollard’s innings was nothing short of vintage. He smashed 65 runs from only 29 balls, peppering the boundary ropes with six towering sixes and four fours. The highlight came in the 17th over, where Pollard tore into Wiese, plundering 24 runs in six deliveries. His sheer power left bowlers clueless and the crowd electrified.

By the time Pollard fell in the 19th over, he had single-handedly propelled TKR to a commanding total of 183/7 in 20 overs.

Saint Lucia Kings’ Chase – Bright Start, Bitter End

Chasing 184, the Kings began brightly. Johnson Charles (47 off 37) and Tim Seifert (35 off 24) stitched a rapid 74-run opening stand, silencing TKR’s celebrations. By the end of the powerplay, they had motored to 60/0 — well ahead of the required run rate.

But as is often the case in T20 cricket, one wicket opened the floodgates. Charles was dismissed in the 11th over, and almost immediately, Roston Chase followed in bizarre fashion, miscuing a reverse sweep. From a position of dominance, the Kings suddenly looked rattled.

The most talked-about moment came soon after. Big-hitting Tim David was ruled out caught behind after a controversial review. Replays showed no clear edge, and though the visuals appeared inconclusive, the decision went against him following a spike on Snicko. His departure left fans and commentators divided, but it also robbed the Kings of their most destructive finisher.

Middle Overs Pressure – Russell and Tariq Shine

Sensing vulnerability, the Knight Riders tightened their grip. Andre Russell and Usman Tariq applied the brakes brilliantly, picking up two wickets each and refusing to allow the Kings’ middle order to accelerate.

Delano Potgieter (24 off 21) tried to stabilize the innings, while skipper Wiese’s brief cameo (10 off 8) failed to shift momentum. The Kings needed someone to replicate Pollard’s fireworks, but no one stepped up.

In the closing overs, young Ackeem Auguste played a spirited knock of 20 off 9, briefly raising hopes of a miracle. Yet, with the asking rate spiraling out of control, even his late blitz wasn’t enough. The Kings finished at 165/6, falling short by 18 runs.

Turning Points

1. Pollard’s Carnage (17th Over): His 24-run assault on Wiese flipped the contest. Without that over, TKR’s total might have been 160 instead of 183.

2. Tim David’s Controversial Dismissal: The Kings were well placed when David walked in. His early exit derailed their finishing charge.

3. Middle Overs Strangle: Russell and Tariq’s disciplined spells ensured the Kings never capitalized on their strong start.

4. Missed Opportunities in the Field: Saint Lucia’s sloppy fielding allowed easy singles and a couple of boundaries that could have been cut off.

Player of the Match

Unsurprisingly, Kieron Pollard was awarded Player of the Match for his breathtaking knock of 65 (29). It was a masterclass in power hitting and experience — exactly what has made him one of the most feared T20 players globally for over a decade.

Captains’ Reactions

• Kieron Pollard (TKR):
  “It feels great to contribute for the team. At this stage of my career, I just want to play smart cricket, but sometimes instinct takes over. Tonight was one of those nights.”

• David Wiese (SLK):
  “We had the game in control early, but credit to Pollard for changing everything in just a few overs. Our chase was on track, but losing quick wickets and that one tough call against Tim (David) set us back.”

Impact on the Points Table

• Trinbago Knight Riders: The victory pushed them to third place with 4 points from 3 matches, firmly in the playoff race. Their net run rate (NRR) also improved significantly.

• Saint Lucia Kings: The loss left them languishing in fifth place, with only one win from four games. Their title defense is looking shaky, and they’ll need a strong turnaround.

Analysis – Experience vs. Momentum

The match highlighted two contrasting themes:

• TKR’s Experience: With seasoned campaigners like Pollard, Russell, and Pooran, the Knight Riders know how to seize key moments.

• SLK’s Inconsistency: The Kings started brilliantly but couldn’t sustain momentum. Their young talent is promising, but in crunch moments, they lacked composure.

In T20 leagues, matches are often decided by small margins, and in this case, it was Pollard’s explosive 30-minute cameo and Russell’s smart middle-overs bowling that created the gap between the two sides.

Looking Ahead

• Trinbago Knight Riders will carry momentum into their next fixture, confident that their batting firepower is peaking at the right time.

• Saint Lucia Kings must regroup quickly. Their top order is firing, but the middle and lower order need to deliver if they are to stay alive in CPL 2025.

Final Verdict

The night belonged to Kieron Pollard. His display of clean, fearless hitting was the difference between victory and defeat. While Saint Lucia Kings showed promise and even had the upper hand at one stage, TKR’s blend of experience and discipline once again proved decisive.

In the end, the scoreboard read:
Trinbago Knight Riders – 183/7 (20 overs)
Saint Lucia Kings – 165/6 (20 overs)
Result: TKR won by 18 runs.

This was a reminder of why CPL remains one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world — passion, flair, drama, and unforgettable performances under Caribbean skies.