Royals on the board with big win over already-qualified Kings

Barbados Royals picked up their first win of CPL 2025 at the seventh attempt, comprehensively beating the already-qualified Saint Lucia Kings in Bridgetown. After a strong batting performance lifted the hosts to 191, Ramon Simmonds and Daniel Sams took three wickets apiece to derail the Kings' chase and seal a 27-run victory.

Put in to bat in the first day game of the season at the venue, the Royals began against spin, with Khary Pierre opening the attack for the Kings on a surface offering assistance. The left-arm spinner struck in his second over to remove Quinton de Kock, but Kadeem Alleyne and Brandon King steadied the innings with a 53-run stand. King was handed a reprieve when Delano Potgieter dropped him off Pierre, a miss that proved costly.

The Royals managed just 39 in the PowerPlay but gained momentum in the two overs that followed before Tabraiz Shamsi ended the stand. King, having benefitted from his early let-off, made a useful 42 to take the Royals to 72 at the halfway stage. Alleyne continued his aggressive approach, striking three sixes and as many fours in a 21-ball 39 before also falling to Shamsi, who finished with an impressive 3 for 26, backing up his earlier exploits against Trinbago Knight Riders.

At 130 by the 17th over, the Royals needed a late surge, which came courtesy Chris Green and captain Rovman Powell. The pair blasted 61 in the final three overs, hitting six fours and four sixes between them. Powell finished unbeaten on 41 off 17 balls, while Green contributed 25 off 14.

The Royals carried that momentum into their defence. With spin still effective, Green struck with his second ball to dismiss Johnson Charles and then held a catch in the next over as Ramon Simmonds removed Ackeem Auguste. Green added the key wicket of Roston Chase soon after, leaving the Kings reeling. At the halfway mark, they were 66 for 5. Tim David provided some resistance with four sixes in his 28-ball 44, but he could not prevent a heavy defeat.

Brief scores: Barbados Royals 191/5 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 41*, Kadeem Alleyne 39; Tabraiz Shamsi 3-26) beat Saint Lucia Kings 164/9 in 20 overs (Tim David 44; Ramon Simmonds 3-28, Daniel Sams 3-31) by 27 runs.