Nicholas Pooran Fined for Dissent as Trinbago Knight Riders Triumph in CPL Eliminator

In a thrilling CPL Eliminator, Nicholas Pooran of the Trinbago Knight Riders has been fined for dissent towards an umpire's decision. Despite this, Pooran's stellar performance, alongside Alex Hales, led the Knight Riders to a nine-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. The match saw a dramatic collapse from the Falcons, who were unable to capitalize on a strong start. With this win, the Knight Riders keep their title hopes alive, while the Falcons exit the tournament after reaching the knockout stages for the first time. Read on for a detailed recap of the match and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 19, 2025, 01:55 IST

Nicholas Pooran Faces Sanction in CPL

New Delhi, September 19: The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced that Nicholas Pooran, who plays for the Trinbago Knight Riders, has been penalized with a Level 1 offence under the CPL Code of Conduct.

This penalty stems from Pooran's display of dissent towards an umpire's ruling during the Eliminator match against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. He has accepted the penalty, which includes a fine equivalent to 20% of his match fee, according to a statement from the CPL.

Match Highlights: Knight Riders vs. Falcons

In the match, the Trinbago Knight Riders secured their place in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League with a convincing nine-wicket victory over the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the Eliminator.

The Falcons initially set a strong foundation with a 108-run partnership between Andries Gous and Amir Jangoo. However, a sudden collapse saw them restricted to a chaseable total. Nicholas Pooran and Alex Hales were the standout performers for the Knight Riders, both scoring fifties to lead their team to an easy win.

Falcons' Collapse and Knight Riders' Dominance

During the Falcons' innings, both Jangoo and Gous were dismissed in quick succession after reaching their fifties, falling to Usman Tariq, who delivered an impressive performance with figures of 2/19 in four overs. The Falcons, who were at 129/1 with four overs remaining, ended their innings at 161/8, thanks to late wickets from Saurabh Netravalkar and Andre Russell.

Despite a promising start, the Falcons were left disappointed with their final score. The Knight Riders faced an early setback when their top scorer Colin Munro was dismissed by Rahkeem Cornwall. However, Pooran and Hales quickly took control, ensuring a smooth chase.

Outstanding Partnership Seals the Victory

As the chase progressed, the Knight Riders needed just over a run per ball. With the pressure easing, Hales and Pooran expertly guided their team to victory, keeping their hopes of clinching their first CPL title since 2020 alive.

Pooran ended the match unbeaten on 90, while Hales contributed 54, forming an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 143 runs. Their impressive form heading into the knockout stages is a significant boost for the Knight Riders, who had faced three consecutive losses prior to this match.

This defeat means the Falcons will exit the tournament, having reached the knockout stages for the first time in their history.