Jamaica Kingsmen broke their winless run in CPL 2026, comfortably chasing down 183 towards defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders at Sabina Park on Saturday. Kirk McKenzie powered the Kingsmen with a rampant 25-ball 69, earlier than cameos from Andre Russell and skipper Rovman Powell added the ending touches because the hosts obtained house by 5 wickets with eight balls to spare.
McKenzie teed off from the outset, stepping out to loft Akeal Hosein within the opening over, earlier than tearing into him for an 18-run third over. Whereas he largely selected to play Sunil Narine out, he additionally nailed a slog-sweep off the veteran spinner. The pacers endured a nightmare although, underlined by Terrance Hinds’ 25-run over to spherical off the Powerplay as McKenzie raced to a 19-ball fifty.
The southpaw additionally attacked Usman Tariq for a six however was bowled the second he tried one shot too many. By the point he was dismissed, nonetheless, the Kingsmen had racked up 93 in seven overs. Reeza Hendricks performed second fiddle within the opening partnership however prolonged the Kingsmen’s dominance with a 29-ball 37. Tariq, who bowled his 4 overs at a stretch, nabbed two extra wickets to go away the door barely ajar for the Knight Riders with the scoring fee additionally dipping within the course of, following which Kieron Pollard eliminated Keacy Carty.
However the Kingsmen didn’t get determined, with Russell correctly selecting to play out Narine’s ultimate over. With 54 wanted off the final 5 overs, he slammed a six and two fours off Hinds earlier than Powell joined him because the duo made merry in a 28-run Nathan Edward over that introduced the equation right down to single digits. Russell was dismissed, however Powell obtained the Kingsmen house, doing the job in singles.
Earlier within the night, TKR struggled for early momentum after being inserted to bat. Colin Munro laboured to a 26-ball 16 earlier than Russell put him out of his distress within the ultimate Powerplay over. Alex Hales did not convert his begin whereas Nicholas Pooran started slowly, with TKR desperately trying to kick on at 77/2 after the twelfth over. The momentum they have been after got here within the type of Pollard, who clobbered three sixes and a 4 off Vitel Lawes. That rubbed off on Pooran, who switched gears on the different finish in a 67-run partnership for the third wicket.
Each fell in fast succession however cameos from Jyd Goolie and Sunil Narine took TKR previous 180, Regardless of wrestling momentum their manner although, they fell nicely wanting a successful complete.
Transient Scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 182/6 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 44, Nicholas Pooran 44; Hunain Shah 2-31, Andre Russell 2-34) misplaced to Jamaica Kingsmen 183/5 in 18.4 overs (Kirk McKenzie 69, Reeza Hendricks 37, Rovman Powell 29*; Usman Tariq 3-21) by 5 wickets
