Tim Seifert’s Blazing 125* Powers St Lucia Kings to Record Chase

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons put on a dazzling show with the bat in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash against the St Lucia Kings, who won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Falcons answered with a powerhouse performance, piling up 204 for 4 in their 20 overs. It was a rollercoaster of an innings, starting steady, erupting into middle-order destruction, and finishing with a blistering late surge that left the Kings’ bowlers dazed.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Innings

The innings began with openers Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew laying a rock-solid foundation. Jangoo, the wicketkeeper-batter, played with a cool-headed authority, crafting a well-paced 56 off 43 balls. His knock, laced with 6 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 130.23, blended caution with timely aggression. Jangoo’s ability to find gaps early and pick his moments for big shots kept the scoreboard ticking steadily. At the other end, Jewel Andrew brought flair and audacity, smashing 25 off 20 balls with 3 crisp fours and a towering six that soared into the stands.

Their 51-run opening stand in 6.1 overs gave the Falcons a perfect platform to launch their assault. Andrew’s bold strokes, including a lofted cover drive that sailed over the infield and a pulled six that cleared the boundary, kept the Kings’ bowlers under constant pressure. But his entertaining knock ended abruptly when Tabraiz Shamsi, the Kings’ crafty left-arm spinner, struck in the 6.1st over, tempting him into a rash shot caught by Ackeem Auguste in the deep.

The Falcons’ momentum hit a brief snag when Karima Gore, walking in at number three, fell for a golden duck on the very next ball in the 6.2nd over. Caught by Roston Chase off Shamsi’s bowling, Gore’s dismissal threatened to derail the innings. Enter Shakib Al Hasan, the veteran Bangladeshi all-rounder, who turned the game on its head with a breathtaking 61 off 26 balls. His innings was a T20 masterclass, featuring 5 fours and 5 towering sixes at a scorching strike rate of 234.61. Shakib took the attack to the Kings’ bowlers, particularly targeting the spinners with audacious sweeps and lofted drives that cleared the ropes with ease.

His 91-run third-wicket partnership with Jangoo, forged in just 49 balls, propelled the Falcons past the 100-run mark by the 11th over. Shakib’s onslaught was a sight to behold, with every shot played with precision and power, but it ended in the 14.3rd over when Delano Potgieter had him caught by Chase, halting his rampage. Jangoo’s anchoring role came to an end in the 16.2nd over, dismissed for 56, caught by Tim David off Shamsi, who was proving to be the Kings’ trump card.

At 158 for 4, the Falcons needed a strong finish to push their total beyond 200, and Fabian Allen delivered spectacularly. Allen’s unbeaten 38 off 17 balls, at a strike rate of 223.52, included 4 fours and 3 sixes, providing the late fireworks that lit up the stadium. Partnering with Odean Smith, who played a more measured unbeaten 11 off 15 balls, Allen ensured the Falcons crossed the 200-mark. Their unbroken 46-run fifth-wicket stand in the final overs was pivotal, lifting the team to 204 for 4 at a run rate of 10.20 per over. Extras also played a part, with the Kings conceding 13 runs, adding to their bowling woes.

The Kings’ bowling effort leaned heavily on Tabraiz Shamsi, who was the standout with figures of 4-0-30-3 at an economy of 7.50. His wickets of Andrew, Gore, and Jangoo were critical in momentarily slowing the Falcons’ charge. Delano Potgieter supported with a tidy 3-0-20-1, dismissing Shakib to break the dangerous third-wicket stand. But the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Falcons’ batters. Alzarri Joseph, the Kings’ pace spearhead, had a tough day, leaking 42 runs in his 4 overs without a wicket. David Wiese endured a nightmare outing, conceding 44 runs in 3 overs at an economy of 14.66. Roston Chase and Khary Pierre also failed to make an impact, giving away 44 and 18 runs, respectively, without taking a wicket.

St Lucia Kings’ Dominant Chase

Chasing a daunting 205, the St Lucia Kings produced a near-flawless batting display, reaching 206 for 4 in just 17.5 overs, powered by a sensational unbeaten century from Tim Seifert. The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter delivered an innings for the ages, smashing 125 not out off 53 balls at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 235.84. His knock, packed with 10 fours and 9 towering sixes, was the joint-fastest century in CPL history, achieved in just 40 balls, and the second-highest individual score in the tournament’s records. Seifert’s relentless assault ensured the Kings romped home with 13 balls to spare, turning a challenging chase into what seemed like a stroll in the park.

The Kings’ innings exploded into life with Seifert and Johnson Charles tearing into the Falcons’ bowlers from the outset. Charles blasted 17 off 9 balls, including 2 sixes, before falling to Salman Irshad in the 2.3rd over, caught by Jangoo. Their 40-run opening stand in just 14 balls set an aggressive tone for the chase. Ackeem Auguste joined Seifert, and the pair added a rapid 74 runs for the second wicket in 37 balls. Auguste played a supporting role, contributing 19 off 15 balls with 3 fours, before being stumped by Jangoo off Usama Mir in the 8.4th over. By then, Seifert had raced to a blistering 18-ball fifty, hammering 5 fours and 4 sixes, and the Kings had reached 100 in just 6.6 overs, well ahead of the required run rate.

Roston Chase, coming in at number four, struggled to find his rhythm, managing 11 off 10 balls before being caught by Salman Irshad off Odean Smith in the 11.1st over. At 133 for 3, the Kings were still firmly in control, with Seifert continuing his relentless assault. Tim David joined him and played a brisk 23 off 16 balls, including 1 four and 2 sixes, before falling to Jayden Seales in the 15.2nd over, caught by substitute fielder Shamar Springer. Their 49-run fourth-wicket stand kept the chase on track, with Seifert reaching his century in the 12th over. Delano Potgieter, unbeaten on 6 off 7 balls, played a minor role, supporting Seifert as the Kings sealed the victory. The final total of 206 for 4, at a run rate of 11.55, was boosted by 5 extras (3 no-balls and 2 wides).

The Falcons’ bowlers were powerless against Seifert’s onslaught. Jayden Seales was the most expensive, leaking 39 runs in 2.5 overs despite taking David’s wicket. Salman Irshad and Usama Mir each claimed a wicket, dismissing Charles and Auguste, respectively, but were costly, conceding 40 and 39 runs in their 4 overs. Shakib Al Hasan had a torrid time, giving away 32 runs in 2 overs, while Odean Smith’s 2 overs cost 25 runs, including Chase’s wicket. Captain Imad Wasim bowled 3 overs for 31 runs without success. The powerplay, where the Kings raced to 92 for 1, set the tone, and the strategic timeout at 124 for 2 in 10 overs did little to halt their momentum, as Seifert’s hitting sealed the victory.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

The Falcons’ formidable total of 204 for 4 was built on several game-changing moments, but Shakib Al Hasan’s explosive 61 off 26 balls stood out as the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game. Striding in at 51 for 2 after 6.2 overs, Shakib turned the match on its head with a scintillating knock. His strike rate of 234.61, with 5 fours and 5 towering sixes, was a display of pure T20 brilliance.

Facing a strong attack led by Tabraiz Shamsi and Alzarri Joseph, Shakib played with fearless intent, smashing spinners over the infield and dispatching pacers with disdain. His 91-run partnership with Amir Jangoo in 49 balls shifted the momentum decisively, setting the stage for the Falcons’ big total. Though his knock ended in the 14.3rd over, caught off Delano Potgieter, Shakib’s 34-minute blitz was the defining moment that electrified the innings.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

In a chase requiring 205, Tim Seifert emerged as the undisputed TCNI Hero of the Day, delivering a breathtaking unbeaten 125 off 53 balls. His innings, at a strike rate of 235.84, included 10 fours and 9 towering sixes, marking it as the joint-fastest century in CPL history and the second-highest individual score in the tournament. Seifert’s composure and relentless aggression anchored the Kings’ chase, securing a 6-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare.

Supported by Johnson Charles (17 off 9), Ackeem Auguste (19 off 15), and Tim David (23 off 16), Seifert dominated a Falcons’ attack featuring Salman Irshad (1/40) and Usama Mir (1/39). His unstoppable assault, especially in the power play where the Kings scored 92 for 1, never wavered, even after early wickets. Seifert’s unbeaten knock clinched the match and cemented his reputation as a clutch performer in high-stakes chases.