By KNEWS
Copyright kaieteurnewsonline
No room for error in TKR-Falcons Eliminator clash
Sep 16, 2025
Sports
Kaieteur Sports – Now that the final group game of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has culminated and saw the Guyana Amazon Warriors emphatically defeat the Barbados Royals on Sunday night to secure a spot in Wednesday’s Qualifier 1, the script for the playoffs is now set.
This meant that early CPL front-runners, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) were relegated to third and will have no further room for error if they are to make it through the playoffs to the final. Given that finishing in the top two gives the Kings and Warriors two chances to reach the final, there is some form of comfort to work with.
It’s time for the eliminator, which means TKR will take on the improving Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The winners of that match will take on the losers of the game between the Kings and the Warriors.
Falcons had a bag of mixed results this season, winning five games, losing four and being on the end of a No Result, but it was enough to get them 11 points and into the top four for the first time.
TKR, on the other hand, always a tournament favourite, has won six matches and lost four, which got them 12 points and a third-place finish at the end of the Group stage.
Earlier in the season, the Falcons did well to defeat TKR in a home match, but the playing field was leveled once again when TKR exacted revenge on the Twin-Island Republic shortly after. This has the makings to be an intriguing match with players still pressing to make an impact in the closing moments of the tournament.
On Monday, representatives of the teams in the playoffs had the opportunity to share their thoughts on how they believe they can be successful.
TKR captain Nicholas Pooran said, “We believe if we have to be successful, we have to beat everyone. Playoffs is a different type of cricket, different type of pressure and we are accustomed to that. So we are looking forward to the next couple of days. But from a group perspective, we know we have our work cut out for us. Coming here to Guyana hasn’t been easy for us in the last couple of years.”
“We know the surface over here is a bit tricky, both first innings and second innings, so that something we need to sit, discuss and plan how we actually want to go about our innings on both sides.”
Meanwhile, Falcons captain, Imad Wasim said, “Our journey has been fantastic. Our first box has been ticked, getting into the playoffs. Three wins away from the finals and these conditions, they suit us. All the teams are fantastic, so on a given day, whoever can beat whoever. But the thing is we just want to showcase good talent, enjoy the game and entertain the fans. But ultimately play in the right spirit and good luck to whoever wins the tournament.”
The eliminator bowls off at 20:00hrs.
Barbados Royals, CPL, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Sunil Narine, Trinbago Knight Riders
