Rassie van der Dussen smashed four boundaries and two sixes during his game-winning knock of 45 not out
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Rassie van der Dussen walloped a game-winning 45 to not only lead the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to a seven-wicket win over the Jamaica Tallawahs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, but also help them qualify for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs.
Electing to bowl first, the Patriots struck early as Fabian Allen removed Tallawahs opener Johnson Charles for 13.
Kennar Lewis only made nine runs, while Glenn Phillips, who opened the batting with Charles, struck a 29-ball 40, which included six boundaries and a six, before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph.
Rovman Powell and David Miller steadied things with a 79-run partnership, during which Powell brought up his half-century, before Miller was dismissed by Ben Cutting for 32.
Tallawahs captain Andre Russell only made one run before being run out.
However, with Powell going on to score 84 off 40 balls, which included 11 boundaries and four sixes, the Tallawahs finished on 206/6.
Cutting was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Joseph, Allen and Carlos Brathwaite chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Initially chasing 207 to win, the Patriots made a dismal start to their innings as opener Evin Lewis was clean bowled by Oshane Thomas for a golden duck.
Patriots captain Chris Gayle and Van der Dussen made up for the early loss of Lewis with a 53-run partnership.
However, during their stand, the rain came and the match was reduced to 11 overs, with the Patriots needing 118 to win.
On the third ball after the match resumed, Gayle was sent packing by Krishmar Santokie for a 24-ball 41, which included six boundaries and two sixes.
Cutting was cleaned up by Adam Zampa for a golden duck, but Van der Dussen and Mahmudullah led the Patriots across the finish line with five balls to spare courtesy of their unbeaten 47-run stand.
Van der Dussen finished on 45 off 24 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes, while Mahmudullah remained undefeated on 28 off 11 deliveries, which included two boundaries and two sixes.
Santokie, Thomas and Zampa claimed one wicket each.
Van der Russen was named Man of the Match.