After securing a playoff spot in the 2023 edition of the Republic Bank CPL, we are set to face the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Eliminator. This marks our fourth consecutive season making it to the playoffs, and Daren Sammy’s men are determined to lift the 2023 CPL trophy after narrowly missing out in the previous three editions.
Let's take a look back at how the Kings performed in the last three editions of the CPL - 2020, 2021, and 2022.
2020: Lost to Trinbago Knight Riders in the Final
With a maiden CPL title in sight, the Kings were determined to show their class in the 2020 edition, and they did so in style. They finished level on points with Guyana Amazon Warriors in 3rd place with 12 points and faced them in the semi-finals.
In a comprehensive victory against the Warriors in the semis, the Kings chased down a target of 55 with 93 balls to spare, winning by 10 wickets. Our bowlers shone on the day by bowling out the opposition for just 55. However, facing the unbeaten TKR in the finals was a daunting challenge. We were bowled out for 154, and the star-studded batting lineup of the Riders chased down the target in 18.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets. Lendl Simmons' brilliant 84 earned him the Man of the Match and secured the trophy for TKR.
2021: Lost to Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Final
The 2021 season brought us closer to the CPL trophy. After the heartbreak of 2020, we reached the finals once again, finishing 4th in the 2021 edition.
In the semi-finals against TKR, we avenged our 2020 finals loss by posting a massive 205 and bowling them out for 184, securing a 21-run win and setting up a final against SKNP.
After posting a competitive 159/7 in the final, we started strongly with the ball, dismissing Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis early. We seemed poised to lift our maiden CPL trophy, but Dominic Drakes' late heroics off the final ball of the innings gave SKNP the title.
2022: Lost to Jamaica Tallawahs in the Eliminator
The 2022 edition introduced a playoff format, replacing the previous semi-finals and final format. Hungrier than ever after two consecutive finals losses, we secured a third-place finish.
Facing the Tallawahs in the 2022 Eliminator, our bowlers restricted them to 148. However, our batting struggled against Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Amir, and Fabian Allen, resulting in our dismissal for just 115 and our exit from the tournament.
The 2023 Eliminator will see a rematch of last year's contest against the Jamaica Tallawahs. Confidence is soaring in the dressing room, and Sikandar Raza’s squad is determined to end our CPL trophy drought. A victory against JT would bring us one step closer to achieving that goal.
