Malik raises his bat upon reaching his half-century

Image courtesy of: CPL T20

Barbados Tridents all-rounder Shoaib Malik smashed a quickfire 51 to lead his side to a 15-run win over the St Lucia Zouks.

However, Zouks opener Andre Fletcher deserves some credit for his valiant knock of 52.

Tridents captain Kieron Pollard would have been brooding over his decision to bat first as all of the batsmen, with the exception of Malik, either got off to positive starts and threw their wickets away or failed to have an impact at all.

It was thanks to Malik’s knock of 51, which came off 34 balls and included five boundaries and a six, that the Tridents were able to reach 148/8 off their 20 overs.

Zouks skipper Darren Sammy and Kemar Roach picked up two wickets apiece, while Fidel Edwards and Nathan McCullum chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 149 to win, the Zouks’ entire batting line-up, with the exception of Fletcher, completely imploded as only three batsmen were able to reach double figures.

Fletcher was the main reason why the Zouks came as close as they did to their target as he smashed 52 off 38 deliveries, which included two boundaries and four sixes.

Fletcher made a gutsy 52

Image courtesy of: CPL T20

Rayad Emrit was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Jeevan Mendis and Robin Peterson snapped up two wickets apiece and Pollard claimed one.

Malik was named Man of the Match.