Patriots open their account in dominant fashion

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots claimed their first points of the season with a convincing five-wicket win over Saint Lucia Kings at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

Netravalkar strikes early before Holder breaks the Kings

Saint Lucia Kings chose to bat but quickly lost openers Andries Gous and Ackeem Auguste, with Saurabh Netravalkar making two early breakthroughs. Jewel Andrew then steadied the innings with 58 off 42 balls, while Kamil Pooran added 54 from 30 deliveries in an 81-run partnership that threatened to transform the total.

The partnership ended when Pooran was run out. Jason Holder then dismissed Andrew and Charith Asalanka in the same over, reducing the Kings to 134/5 after five deliveries. Holder finished with 3 for 20 and Netravalkar claimed 3 for 32 as the Patriots restricted Saint Lucia to 155/8 from 20 overs.

Fletcher anchors a brisk chase

The Patriots made an explosive start in reply. Johnson Charles struck 16 from five balls, including two sixes, before falling to Matthew Forde. Kyle Mayers kept up the attack with 32 off 16 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

After the early hitters departed, Player of the Match Andre Fletcher took control. He remained unbeaten on 48 from 41 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six, and guided the chase through several useful partnerships. Kevin Wickham scored 19, Dasun Shanaka made 12, and Holder finished unbeaten on 10 as St Kitts and Nevis reached 156/5 in 17.4 overs.

Result: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots beat Saint Lucia Kings by five wickets.

Brief scores: Saint Lucia Kings 155/8 (Jewel Andrew 58, Kamil Pooran 54; Jason Holder 3-20, Saurabh Netravalkar 3-32); St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 156/5 (Andre Fletcher 48*, Kyle Mayers 32; Maheesh Theekshana 2-22).