Shakib’s efforts go in vain as Jamaica lose

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with a crucial wicket during four economical overs but could not prevent Jamaica Tallawahs from being beaten by St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League 2016.

Opener Andre Fletcher carried his bat through a scorching afternoon in the Florida heat, making an unbeaten 79 to set up a 63-run win over Jamaica Tallawahs in Lauderhill, clinching a playoff berth for the Zouks and moving them two points clear of Trinbago Knight Riders into sole possession of third place.

The Zouks total of 206 for 3 is the highest total of CPL 2016 and second highest ever in the four-year history of the CPL.

Fletcher played the anchor role on a placid batting wicket as Johnson Charles and Shane Watson played the aggressor in partnerships of 89 and 59 for the first and second wickets respectively.

The latter batsmen dominated both stands, with Charles clubbing seven fours and two sixes in his 59 while Watson produced a flurry of sweetly timed straight sixes, hitting five in all, to make 43 off 20 balls.

At the conclusion of the game, Fletcher said the Florida heat - temperatures hit 92F with a real feel of 101F in thanks to the humidity - were the hottest conditions he had ever played in, but he made it through all 20 overs in a 100-minute knock.

Though the pitch played just as well in the second innings, Tallawahs were dealt an early blow facing a stiff target when drawcard Chris Gayle was cramped up by Delorn Johnson and produced an edge to slip for 13. Kumar Sangakkara kept up with the run rate early in the Powerplay, but got into a mixup with Chadwick Walton and was runout for 18 to make it 57 for 2 in the sixth.

Walton eventually top-scored for the Tallawahs to make 54 off 51 balls but struggled to maintain momentum. Tallawahs needed 70 off the final two overs with Andre Russell on strike but when he was caught on the boundary to start the 19th, a playoff berth was clinched for the Zouks.

St Lucia Zouks 206 for 3 (Fletcher 74*, Charles 59, Williams 2-28) beat Jamaica Tallawahs 143 for 8 (Walton 54, Johnson 3-30, Taylor 2-34) by 63 runs