The Red Steel celebrate after winning the CPL

Image courtesy of: CPL T20

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel dethroned the Barbados Tridents as Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions after beating them by 20 runs in the final on Sunday.

Red Steel captain Dwayne Bravo would have been ruing his decision to bat first early on as opening batsman Jacques Kallis was clean bowled by Robin Peterson for eight runs.

However, the Red Steel came roaring back as Kamran Akmal and Cameron Delport amassed a 102-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Delport was caught and bowled by Tridents skipper Kieron Pollard.

Akmal (left) and Delport (right) both made half-centuries

Image courtesy of: CPL T20

Delport’s excellent innings of 50 came off 38 balls and included six boundaries and two sixes.

Akmal was dismissed the very next ball following a superb knock of 60, which came off 46 deliveries and included five boundaries and two sixes.

Thanks to Delport, Akmal and Bravo’s quickfire 29 not out, the Red Steel finished on 178/5 off their 20 overs.

Pollard and Rayad Emrit picked up two wickets apiece, while Peterson chipped in with one.

Chasing 179 to win, all of the Tridents batsmen got off to encouraging starts but were unable to convert it into bigger scores. Opener Dwayne Smith definitely came the closest as he made 49 off 30 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes, before he was cleaned up by Sulieman Benn.

With a majority of the batting line-up failing to get past 20 runs, the Tridents fell short of their target and subsequently failed to retain their title.

Benn was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Johan Botha and Derone Davis claimed one wicket each.

Akmal was named Man of the Match and Bravo was bestowed with the Player of the Tournament award.