Prime Minister Rallies Patriots After Rough Home Start
BASSETERRE — Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has sent a message of encouragement to the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, urging the team to stay focused after Thursday’s 11-run loss to the Jamaica Kingsmen in the opening match of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 home leg at Warner Park.
“Yesterday’s first game at home may not have gone the way we wanted, but cricket, like life, is about how you respond,” Drew said in a statement issued Friday. “One result does not define the tournament, and there is still plenty of cricket ahead.”
The prime minister said he had personally reached out to the squad. “I sent a personal message to the team, wishing them the very best for the remainder of the tournament and reminding them that the entire Federation is behind them,” he said.
Drew called on Kittitians and Nevisians to rally behind the team as it looks to turn its season around. “Keep your heads up Patriots! Stay focused, trust each other and keep fighting. You have an entire Federation cheering you on every step of the way,” he said, adding, “Let’s continue to show our Patriots the love and support they deserve.”
The Patriots sit seventh and last on the seven-team points table, with one win and four losses from five matches and a net run rate of -0.738. Thursday’s defeat came despite an early breakthrough from fast bowler Naseem Shah, who removed both Kingsmen openers inside the powerplay. Jamaica recovered through Saim Ayub’s 102 off 58 balls — the second century of the tournament in as many nights — which lifted the Kingsmen to 182 for 7. In reply, the Patriots fell just short, with Dasun Shanaka and Jason Holder mounting a late fightback that fell 11 runs short of the target.
The loss was the Patriots’ second at the hands of the Kingsmen this tournament, after Jamaica beat them by 51 runs at Sabina Park on Aug. 19. The team’s lone victory came on Aug. 13 against the Saint Lucia Kings, sealed by an unbeaten 48 from Andre Fletcher.
The Patriots will look to build momentum as they continue their home leg at Warner Park, with the prime minister’s message signaling continued public support behind the team regardless of the results so far this season.
“Let’s go Patriots!” Drew said, closing his message.
