Vidia Ramphal Aug 17, 2025
From high-scoring thrillers to rain-soaked frustration, the opening matches of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) delivered exactly what fans crave—thrills, tension, and breakout stars.
Colin Munro’s record-breaking century for the Trinbago Knight Riders was easily the standout performance of the tournament so far. It was also a week where Karima Gore (Antigua and Barbuda Falcons), Ben McDermott (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Usman Tariq (Trinbago Knight Riders), and Waqar Salamkheil (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) all announced themselves as early tournament standouts.
Match 1 — August 14, 2025 — St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
The season opened under lights at Basseterre, where left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil (4/22) ripped through the Falcons’ middle order, restricting them to 121 in 17.1 overs.
Bronx-born Karima Gore provided the only resistance with fearless strokeplay. The Patriots were wobbly in response at 76 for 4 before Alick Athanaze (37*) and skipper Jason Holder (18*) saw them home by six wickets with five overs to spare.
Match 2 — August 14, 2025 — St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
Barely 24 hours later, the Patriots were back in action. Andre Fletcher’s crisp 60 off 41 balls lifted them to a competitive 153 for 8, with South African Dwaine Pretorius snaring 3 for 43.
However, the Warriors made light work of the chase, with Ben McDermott (75) and Shai Hope (56*) ravaging 114 in a partnership that carried them home with 16 balls to spare.
Match 3 — August 16, 2025 — Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals
Rain threatened to spoil the party in Antigua, but the Falcons were determined to notch their first win. Chasing 152, Karima Gore (64*) anchored the innings with poise and flair. His second consecutive half-century ensured the Falcons broke their jinx against the Royals, who had beaten them twice in their debut season.
For the Royals, Quinton de Kock (57) and Rovman Powell (51*) laid the foundation, but sloppy catching and missed run-outs left their effort in tatters.
Match 4 — August 17, 2025 — St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders
Colin Munro marked his return to the Knight Riders after three years with one of the finest innings in CPL history—120 off 57 balls, including 14 fours and six sixes. Alongside Alex Hales (47 off 27), Munro produced a 114-run opening stand that propelled TKR to a monumental 231 for 5.
The Patriots fought hard, with Jason Holder (44) and Andre Fletcher (41) sparking hope. However, debutant spinner Usman Tariq held his nerve with key strikes, ensuring TKR won by 12 runs.
Munro now joins Faf du Plessis as the only overseas players to record two CPL centuries.
Match 5 — August 17, 2025 — St Lucia Kings vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
The cricketing gods had other plans in Antigua. Rain washed out the much-anticipated clash between defending champions St Lucia Kings and the Falcons without a ball being bowled. It was especially heartbreaking for 22-year-old Keon Gaston, who was set to debut for the Kings.
Points Table (after 5 matches)
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Falcons | 3 |
| 2 | Amazon Warriors | 2 |
| 3 | Knight Riders | 2 |
| 4 | Patriots | 2 |
| 5 | Kings | 1 |
| 6 | Royals | 0 |
Emerging Storylines
1. Knight Riders’ opening pair looks lethal
Munro and Hales silenced the critics with a 114-run blitz that already has opposition bowlers nervous. With Pooran, Russell, and Pollard still waiting in the wings, the TKR lineup screams championship credentials.
2. Karima Gore makes an early mark
Gore’s back-to-back half-centuries have made him the talk of the tournament. His surprise elevation to number three in the opener has paid off handsomely, and he now leads the run charts. Born in New York, Gore has represented the Leeward Islands for three seasons and could become one of CPL 2025’s breakout stars.
3. Salamkheil finds a new home with the Patriots
The Afghan spinner has already become the Patriots’ X-factor. Salamkheil’s 4 for 22 dismantled the Falcons, and his left-arm unorthodox spin looks set to trouble batters all season. He previously took 15 wickets in 11 games for TKR in his CPL debut season.
4. McDermott–Hope fires Amazon Warriors to victory
Aussie import McDermott and West Indies skipper Shai Hope lit up Warner Park with a 114-run partnership of brute force and elegance. With Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, and Romario Shepherd still to feature heavily, the Warriors’ batting depth looks formidable.
5. Usman Tariq shines on TKR debut
Usman Tariq’s four-wicket haul may have been overshadowed by Munro’s hundred, but his composure on debut gives TKR serious depth in the spin department alongside Akeal Hosein and Sunil Narine.
Quotes of the Week
- “Just think of it as brotherhood. They have been very, very welcoming. Few changes, but it never feels like it changed.” — Colin Munro
- “It was kind of unexpected to bat at three, but the coach told me to just play my natural game—it went my way.” — Karima Gore
- “The most important thing is a win. When we lost Waqar (Salamkheil), we had to get a replacement (Usman Tariq). It’s about enjoying and playing cricket together.” — Nicholas Pooran
- “The credit must go to Waqar (Salamkheil). I thought Waqar was outstanding. He gave us four wickets, which is always crucial energy in T20 games.” — Jason Holder
- “I’m really pleased with the start and hopefully can kick-start something throughout this tournament.” — Ben McDermott
Upcoming Fixtures
19 August – Patriots vs Kings – Warner Park
20 August – Falcons vs Knight Riders – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
21 August – Patriots vs Royals – Warner Park
22 August – Falcons vs Amazon Warriors – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
23 August – Kings vs Knight Riders – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground
24 August – Falcons vs Patriots – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
24 August – Kings vs Royals – Daren Sammy Cricket Ground
Off the Field
The CPL’s growth continues off the pitch, with BYD—global leaders in electric vehicles—joining as an official sponsor. Already present in nine Caribbean countries and with plans to open a showroom in St Lucia, their arrival underscores the CPL’s increasing commercial appeal and regional importance.
“We’re honored to support an event that holds deep cultural importance while demonstrating our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and future mobility in the Caribbean.” — Stephen Hector, Group Deputy Managing Director, BYD
Verdict
The CPL 2025 has exploded into life. Munro is back with a bang, Gore is rising fast, Salamkheil is spinning webs, and the Amazon Warriors’ new power duo looks unstoppable. And this is just week one…
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