Ayub’s century leads Kingsmen to third win

Saim Ayub smashed the second century of this year’s Republic Bank CPL, as Jamaica Kingsmen defeated hosts St Kitts Nevis Patriots by 11 runs in Basseterre on Thursday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Kingsmen posted a challenging 182 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs, with Ayub stroking 102 from just 58 balls, during an innings which featured 6 fours and 8 sixes.

It was a superb knock in the context of the innings, where the next best score was 25 not out from Kemo Paul.

The Kingsmen made a nightmare start as Keacy Carty was dismissed by Naseem Shah with the first ball, before they recovered to reach 42 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

With wickets falling all round Ayub who continued to hammer the ball to all parts of the ground, the Kingsmen were in deep trouble at 63 for 4 in the 9th over, before he was joined by skipper Rovman Powell, with the pair then pushing the total to 135, before Powell was dismissed for 21 in the 17th over.

Ayub was eventually dismissed with six balls remaining as the Kingsmen got up to 182 for 7.

For the Patriots, Wanindu Hasaranga took 2 for 18, Naseem Shah 2 for 37 and Obed McCoy 2 for 43.

In their reply the Patriots lost Kyle Mayers for 10, Johnson Charles 14 and Kevin Wickham 1, as they reached 42 for 3 at the end of the Powerplay.

Veteran wicketkeeper batsman Andre Russell top scored with 55 from 38 deliveries, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, while skipper Jason Holder added 34 and Dasun Shanaka 35 not out from 18 balls, but the Patriots fell well short at 171 for 6 in reply.

Hunain Shah grabbed 2 for 23 and Jediah Blades 2 for 50 for the Kingsmen

With their third victory of the competition, the Kingsmen moved into 4th position on 6 points, while the Patriots remained bottom of the table in 7th on 2 points.

(KH)