By Anas Ahmed 
The defending champions, St Lucia Kings, produced a commanding performance to secure back-to-back victories in CPL 2025, defeating St Kitts & Nevis Patriots by seven wickets at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet. The result keeps the Kings firmly in the top half of the points table, while the Patriots continue to struggle with their fifth defeat in seven games.
Shamsi Sets the Tone
David Wiese opted to field first after winning the toss, trusting his bowlers to make early inroads. That decision was justified as Tabraiz Shamsi delivered a match-defining spell, taking 2/17 in his four overs. The South African spinner struck at crucial junctures, removing Andre Fletcher and limiting Mohammad Rizwan’s scoring options in the middle overs.
Despite that, Mohammad Rizwan held the innings together, compiling an unbeaten 60 off 41 balls, while Fletcher added 37 off 23. With tidy contributions, the Patriots posted a competitive 177/3 in their 20 overs.
Charles and Seifert Dominate Powerplay
If the Patriots thought they had enough runs, the Kings’ openers had other ideas. Johnson Charles blazed 47 from just 17 deliveries, smashing five fours and four sixes to ignite the Gros Islet crowd. His ferocious stroke-play in the Powerplay reduced the target to a manageable chase.
Alongside him, Tim Seifert crafted a classy 68 from 45 balls, anchoring the innings with precision. This was Seifert’s third fifty of the tournament, underlining his consistency at the top. The duo’s 72-run stand inside the first six overs virtually broke the back of the chase.
Smooth Finish for the Champions
Though Charles and Seifert fell before the finish, Ackeem Auguste’s 29 off 20 and composed knocks from Roston Chase (15) and Tim David (16)** ensured the Kings cruised home with three overs to spare.
Captain David Wiese praised his team’s all-round display, highlighting their growing momentum:
“That was a good one. I spoke at the toss about getting a complete team performance. I feel like we covered all our bases. There’s still a little room for improvement, but it was a really good performance from everyone tonight.”
The win marks the Kings’ second triumph over the Patriots this season, reaffirming their status as genuine contenders for another CPL crown.
Brief Scores
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 177/3 (20 overs) Mohammad Rizwan 60* (41), Andre Fletcher 37 (23); Tabraiz Shamsi 2/17 (4), Roston Chase 1/30 (4)
St Lucia Kings 180/3 (17 overs) Tim Seifert 68 (45), Johnson Charles 47 (17); Naseem Shah 2/35 (4), Waqar Salamkheil 1/39 (4)
Result: St Lucia Kings won by 7 wickets (with 18 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Tabraiz Shamsi (2/17)
Zainab Shafiq