Keemo Paul shines with bat and ball to push Kingsmen to second


Jamaica Kingsmen powered to their second consecutive win with a 51-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Kingston, jumping from the bottom of the table to second place. Early Recovery: Kingsmen were left reeling at 0/2 in the first over after Saurabh Netravalkar removed both openers for ducks. After sinking to 54/4 in the eighth over, Keemo Paul and Rovman Powell launched a massive counter-attack. Paul & Powell Carnage: Paul smashed a 30-ball fifty and went on to score 65 off 36, sharing a crucial 99-run stand with Powell (49). Late sixes from Andre Russell helped propel Kingsmen to 181/6. Patriots' Top-Order Collapse: The Patriots' chase fell apart early as they slumped to 31/3 in the fifth over, losing Andre Fletcher, Johnson Charles, and Kyle Mayers cheaply. All-Round Masterclass: After his starring role with the bat, Keemo Paul finished off the Patriots' tail to collect figures of 3 for 30. Supported by Andre Russell (2/19), Kingsmen bowled out the Patriots for 130 in 18 overs. Mid-Innings Stumble: As wickets fell around him, Kevin Wickham dropped anchor. Vitel Lawes trapped Nikhil Chaudhary lbw with a legbreak, and Dasun Shanaka was run out following a mid-pitch collision with Wickham while attempting a second run. Hassan Khan had Andre Fletcher caught at mid-on in the first over, Hunain Shah drew Johnson Charles' edge for the keeper, and Paul squared up Kyle Mayers with a peach of a delivery that hit off stump and Patriots were 31 for 3 in the fifth over. Tactical Retirement: Navin Bidaisee joined Wickham to steady the innings for five overs and push the total past 100. With the required rate exceeding 12, Patriots retired out Bidaisee (19 off 16) at the 14th over to bring in Jason Holder, but the captain lasted only four balls before edging Andre Russell to cover. Russell & Paul Wrap Up: Needing 71 off the final 30 balls with three wickets remaining, Russell maintained the pressure and dismissed Wickham in the 17th over. Keemo Paul then took the final two wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 30 and wrap up a 51-run victory for Jamaica Kingsmen in their final home game at Kingston. Jamaica Kingsmen 181 for 6 (Paul 65, Powell 49, Hasaranga 2-36, Netravalkar 2-43) beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 130 (Wickham 37, Paul 3-30, Russell 2-19) by 51 runs