CPL 2017: Five talking points from the first week

#4. Mohammad Sami's heroics overpower Pollard's assault

Sami was economical and effective against the Barbados Tridents

The Barbados Tridents did most things right in their match against Jamaica Tallawahs. They bowled accurately and tied down the Tallawahs' batsmen. In 20 overs, they leaked only 154 runs.

And then their skipper Kieron Pollard produced a demolishing counter-attack to keep their chase on track. But even then the Tridents failed to cross the line first, as Mohammad Sami stood in their way and derailed their chase.

Sami first sent back the struggling Dwayne Smith in the 11th over and one ball later accounted for the dangerous Nicholas Pooran. The short-ball rose quickly and hurried on to Pooran who was looking to pull the ball. He was out, however, for a golden duck and Sami pushed back the Tridents by picking up two wickets in three balls.

He then came back in the 19th over to stamp Tallawahs' victory. On the third ball of the penultimate over, he forced Wahab Riaz to offer a catch to point fielder on a short and wide delivery. Then came the decisive blow as he sent back Tridents' last hope, Pollard.

At the end, Tallawahs were 12 runs short of the target and the difference between the two teams was Sami - who finished the match with figures of four wickets for 12 runs in four overs.