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CPL Associate Watch, Day 1: Ali Khan claims CPL 2020’s first wicket

TAROUBA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by CPL T20, Ali Khan of Trinbago Knight Riders celebrates with the winners trophy during the Hero Caribbean Premier League Final between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Brian Lara Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen - CPL T20/Getty Images)

The much anticipated first day of the 2020 Caribbean Premier League is in the books, with just one Associate cricketer featuring in either of the two games. USA’s Ali Khan continues to tally kills in the franchise circuit of cricket’s most popular format. In a contest shortened to 17 overs per side, Ali struck with the third ball of the match, getting Brandon King to top edge a short, outside off delivery that skied to point for an easy catch. The early wicket against one of CPL 2019’s hottest bats helped the Trinbago Knight Riders to a four wicket win against Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first game of the 2020 CPL season. Ali finished the rain shortened innings with 3 overs for 21 runs and the big wicket of King.

TKR bowler Ali Khan of USA (Photo: CPL)

Retained again this year in the ICC Americas slot for TKR, Ali has been a well documented success story out of the Americas region. A now familiar and popular face amongst a core group of one of the top performing teams in all of Franchise T20 cricket, Ali finds himself in high demand in leagues across the globe.

Hayden Walsh Jr was also in the ICC Americas slot last year, when he won the player of the tournament award. That 2019 effort earned Hayden a place on the Windies white ball teams, and he became only the 9th cricketer to represent two different T20I nations. As this first day of games came to a close, Hayden was once again seen carrying a large paycheck after Barbados defeated St. Kitts and Nevis, having earned the Catch of the Game award. This season he earns his fee as a local player.

Stay tuned here, as we will continue to cover Associate cricketers as they earn chances throughout the 2020 CPL season.

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