Caribbean Premier League 2025 kicked off in electrifying fashion at Basseterre on August 14, with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots asserting their authority over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the very first match. Batting first, the Falcons were put to the sword by a spirited Patriots bowling unit, headlined by the sensational left-arm wrist spin of Waqar Salamkheil. The result was an emphatic six-wicket victory for the hosts, achieved with five overs to spare, igniting celebrations among Patriots’ supporters and setting the tone for an action-packed CPL season.
Waqar Salamkheil’s spin web grounds Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by a four-wicket mauling
There’s something about opening nights and big players delivering under lights, and Salamkheil seized his moment brilliantly. Coming on after the initial breakthroughs, Salamkheil wasted no time weaving his spell, making the ball talk on a lively Basseterre surface. The Afghan spinner made key inroads just as the Falcons threatened to stage a recovery after early wickets.
Salamkheil’s first scalp was the dangerous Fabian Allen, clean bowled before he could impose himself. Next, the veteran Shakib Al Hasan was coaxed into a miscued shot, caught by Jason Holder. Salamkheil wasn’t done; he had Falcons captain Imad Wasim caught soon after and then ripped through Odean Smith for a duck. His variations and aggressive fields left the batting order rattled. Salamkheil’s figures—4 overs, 22 runs, 4 wickets—earned him Player of the Match, and rightly so. His spell not only broke the Falcons’ backbone but ensured the Patriots chased a far more manageable target than at one stage seemed likely, especially after Karima Gore’s 61 off 34 balls threatened to balloon the score.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots cruise to a statement win in CPL 2025 opener
In reply, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots wasted no time asserting their dominance. Openers Evin Lewis and Andre Fletcher gave the chase early impetus, with Lewis smashing 25 off just 13 balls. Kyle Mayers provided a cameo, but it was Alick Athanaze’s composed 37* off 28 and Jason Holder’s fluent unbeaten 18 that guided the hosts to safety. Despite a few stutters during the middle overs, the Patriots always had the chase under control, rarely letting the required rate climb or pressure mount. The Patriots reached 125/4 in just 15 overs, sealing a comprehensive six-wicket victory with 30 deliveries left—an early statement of their intent for the tournament.
For the Falcons, Rahkeem Cornwall’s two wickets provided brief hope but could not stem the tide. Earlier, after Gore’s lone heroics (8 fours, 2 sixes), the batting simply crumbled under relentless pressure, falling from 95/4 to 121 all out within 17.1 overs, thanks largely to Salamkheil’s destruction.
Also READ: Caribbean Premier League: Complete Squads of all 6 teams for CPL 2025
Waqar Salamkheil stars with the ball and secures Player of the Match honours! 💫#CPL25 #SKNPvABF #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GuardianLife pic.twitter.com/ylEv9HUujT
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 15, 2025
The St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots dominate in Match 1️⃣ of #CPL25 🇰🇳#CPL25 #BiggestPartyInSport #CricketPlayedLouder #SKNPvABF #Sky365 pic.twitter.com/UIyjSViRqL
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 15, 2025
Also READ: Caribbean Premier League: 5 players to watch out for from St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in CPL 2025
