Maaz Sadaqat became the youngest centurion in Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League history as the Jamaica Kingsmen crushed the Barbados Tridents by nine wickets in yesterday’s Eliminator at Kensington Oval.
The 21-year-old Pakistani blasted 112 at the top of the order, recording his maiden T20 century and powering the Kingsmen past the Tridents’ total of 144 for six with 35 balls remaining.
The commanding victory sent the Kingsmen into Qualifier 2, where they will face the loser of the match between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons for a place in Sunday’s final. The defeat ended the Tridents’ campaign.
Earlier, the home side endured a disastrous beginning after being asked to bat. Brandon King and Kevlon Anderson departed within the opening two overs, leaving the Tridents struggling at two for two after three overs.
Two more wickets fell during the PowerPlay as the Kingsmen’s bowlers maintained control. With the score at 24 for four, the Tridents were in danger of being dismissed for a small total.
Their situation worsened when Saim Ayub produced a brilliant delivery to bowl Sherfane Rutherford and claim the fifth wicket.
Quinton de Kock once again rescued the Tridents from trouble. The experienced South African initially played cautiously before combining with captain Chris Green in a crucial 114-run partnership.
The pair added 95 runs during the second half of the innings, lifting the Tridents to 144 for six. De Kock, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was run out on the final delivery for 71, while Green finished unbeaten on 57.
Any momentum gained from that recovery was quickly erased by Sadaqat and Kirk McKenzie.
The Kingsmen’s opening pair raced to 79 without loss at the end of the PowerPlay, with Sadaqat dominating the scoring and attacking every bowling change made by Green.
Sadaqat reached his first half-century of the season from only 22 balls before completing his maiden T20 hundred from 44 deliveries. He was particularly severe against the spinners, striking the ball around the ground as the Tridents struggled to contain him.
McKenzie provided steady support at the other end, rotating the strike and allowing Sadaqat to continue his assault.
Daniel Sams eventually dismissed Sadaqat when the opener skied a slower delivery and was caught by the bowler. He departed for 112 with the Kingsmen requiring only one run for victory and received warm applause from the home crowd.
A wide from Anderson then completed the result, with McKenzie unbeaten on 22 as the Kingsmen secured their place in Qualifier 2.
Summarised scores: Barbados Tridents 144-6 from 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 71, Chris Green 57 not out); Jamaica Kingsmen 145-1 (Maaz Sadaqat 112, Kirk McKenzie 22 not out). Jamaica Kingsmen won by nine wickets.
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