Falcons vs Patriots, 1st Match at Basseterre, CPL, Aug 14 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's a wrap for today's match! Thanks for tuning in. This is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of Harshith Gowda and the entire ESPNcricinfo staff. Ciao!

Jason Holder: "Today, the bowlers were outstanding. When we look at the way we bowled up front in the property, we got wickets; the innings credit must go to Waqar. I thought Waqar was upstanding. He gave us four wickets, which is always crucial energy in T20 games. So happy with the way we've started. If you've got bankers, it makes life easy. We've got quality bowling here. In my opinion, it's only one game in. As I said to the boys, it's important not to get too high or to get too low in this competition; just remain level. And I think if we do that and we are consistent, we'll go deep in this competition. The past is history. It's important for us not to dwell on the past. We've got to create our own legacy going forward. As a new group, with a new leader and new management. And just a case for us, just to build on this, make something special of it. It's in our hands to determine how we go for it. [Fletcher] Look, Fletcher's Fletch, and we want him to be himself; he's a normal, comical self. He's the energy in the dressing room, you know. And I love playing cricket with Fletch. He's obviously brought some good energy; hopefully, he will keep that energy going through the tournament. We just adore the support. I really love playing cricket, and the boys really enjoy the support. And there's only one game in. We hope that they can come out and support us tomorrow again and then onwards in the last three home games."

Imad Wasim: "[Surface and target] I think when the match started, we would have thought 160-170 was a very good score. But unfortunately, some of the shots we played at a crucial time, and then we didn't build a partnership. It was always going to spin, because the wicket looks like there's moisture in it. But we thought over 160 was a good score, but I think some of the shots are unacceptable. Hopefully, if the wickets are like these, I think we're going to bring a lot of spinners in. We bowled really well, and we're really glad that we tried our best. At one point, they were 76 or 80 for four; things would have turned around if we had picked up two more wickets. So I think with the bowling side, I am pretty happy about it. It's just a game of cricket. But I'm really honoured. Really enjoy my cricket. So it's my last three, four years remaining, hopefully. But Falcons, I played with them last year. Hopefully, we're going to do well, but it's just the beginning of the game. The tournament is still there. [Message to the fans] Please do come and support us. I know the first game wasn't up to the mark, but hopefully we're going to entertain you there [at home].

Player of the Match, Waqar Salamkheil: "Bismillahir Rahman Rahim, today is my first match for St Kitts. I am really happy. I did really well and we won the game. The wickets support me a lot, and that's why I enjoy it here. They're like my brothers [Farooqi, Naseem and Abbas], and we talk a lot. We really enjoy [playing together]."

10:06 pm Both teams came into this match with new coaches and captains, but it was the Patriots who came out on top, securing a dominant win to start their season. What a way to break their three-year home losing streak! They completely outplayed the Falcons in every part of the game. The Patriots' openers, Lewis and Fletcher, started aggressively, putting the pressure on the Falcons' bowlers right away. Lewis did the most damage, smashing 25 runs off just 13 balls. The Falcons' Cornwall briefly turned the game around, bowling both Mayers and Rossouw in his first over. Although the pitch offered help to the spinners, the Falcons' low score didn't give their bowlers much to work with. Athanaze then steadied the innings, later joined by his captain, Jason Holder, to see the team home. For the Falcons, Cornwall took two wickets, while Ghazanfar and McCoy each took one.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won by 6 wickets

Free Hit

Smith comes in to bowl.

Here's Shakib, slip in place.