BASSETERRE: Pakistan batter Saim Ayub struck his maiden T20 century to power Jamaica Kingsmen to an 11-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Warner Park on Thursday.
Ayub produced a superb effort, scoring 102 off 58 balls with six fours and eight sixes as Kingsmen posted 182-7 after being put into bat.
The left-hander was thrown into the action almost immediately after Naseem Shah dismissed opener Keacy Carty with the first delivery of the match.
Coming in at No. 3, Ayub took on a strong Patriots attack featuring Pakistan pacer Naseem, Jason Holder and Wanindu Hasaranga and carried the innings through the early setbacks.
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Kingsmen slipped to 63-4 before captain Rovman Powell joined Ayub at the crease. The pair stabilised the innings with a 72-run fifth-wicket partnership, with Powell contributing 21 off 17 balls before Hasaranga ended the stand.
Ayub continued to dominate before Obed McCoy finally dismissed him in the 19th over with Kingsmen on 164. Keemo Paul then provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 25 as Jamaica reached 182-7.
McCoy, Naseem and Hasaranga claimed two wickets apiece for the Patriots.
In reply, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots finished on 171-6 in their 20 overs, suffering their fourth defeat of the tournament.
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Andre Fletcher offered the visitors a strong start, scoring 55 from 38 deliveries before Saim Ayub ended his innings with a caught-and-bowled dismissal.
The Patriots were in serious trouble when they needed 71 runs from 29 balls, but Holder and Dasun Shanaka gave their side a late glimmer of hope.
Holder, who scored 34 off 23 balls with three fours and two sixes, was dismissed by Hunain Shah in the 19th over, leaving the Patriots requiring 31 from the final six deliveries.
Shanaka launched a late assault against Odean Smith, smashing three sixes in an over that yielded 19 runs. He remained unbeaten on 35 from just 18 balls, but the Patriots eventually finished 11 runs short.
