The Caribbean Premier League 2025 kicked off in style on August 14 at Warner Park, Basseterre, where St Kitts & Nevis Patriots delivered a statement victory over Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, winning by six wickets in a one-sided contest. The result set the tone for the tournament’s opening week and showcased the Patriots’ balanced combination of skill, discipline, and aggressive intent.
Opting to bowl first, Patriots captain Jason Holder’s decision paid off almost instantly as his bowlers dismantled the Falcons’ batting order. Waqar Salamkheil, the Afghan left-arm wrist spinner, stole the spotlight with a stunning spell of 4 for 22, consistently deceiving batters with drift and sharp turn. Complementing him were Fazalhaq Farooqi’s new-ball strikes (2 for 30) and Naseem Shah’s fiery pace (2 for 20), which kept the pressure on. Kyle Mayers, operating with clever variations, chipped in with a miserly 1 for 12, while Holder himself picked up a wicket for just 19 runs in his four overs.
The Falcons struggled to build any partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Their innings never truly gained momentum, eventually folding for 122 — a total that looked far below par on a ground known for quick outfields and a friendly batting surface once the ball softens. The Patriots’ bowling unit not only showcased wicket-taking ability but also remarkable economy, strangling the run rate and forcing risky shots from the opposition.
In the chase, the Patriots adopted an aggressive approach right from the start. Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher gave them early impetus before the Falcons briefly fought back with a couple of wickets. However, Alick Athanaze ensured there were no jitters. The left-hander played with composure and precision, scoring an unbeaten 37 off 28 balls, mixing calculated strokes with timely boundaries. Jason Holder joined him at the crease after the fall of the fourth wicket and calmly saw the team home with 18 not out, his captain’s authority evident in his controlled innings.
The target was chased down in just 15 overs, underlining the Patriots’ dominance and sending a strong message to the rest of the competition. The ease of the victory highlighted their depth — a potent bowling attack capable of demolishing batting line-ups and a batting order with enough firepower to finish games well ahead of schedule.
For the Falcons, the match served as a harsh reminder of the standards needed to compete in the CPL. Their batting frailties were exposed, and despite a few encouraging moments with the ball, they lacked the penetration to seriously challenge the Patriots. The defeat leaves them with early work to do to revive their campaign.
With such a convincing win to open their season, the Patriots have immediately positioned themselves among the early favourites for the title. Their next challenge will be maintaining this level of performance against tougher opposition as the tournament unfolds, but if this game is any indication, they are ready to set Warner Park — and the CPL 2025 — alight.