USA Defeats Barbados Decisively in Rising Stars Championship Pursuit

The 2025 Rising Stars Men’s 50-over Championship witnessed a seismic shift in power dynamics as USA-1 delivered a resounding statement of intent with a crushing 219-run victory over defending champions Barbados. This highly anticipated clash, poised to be a tightly contested affair, quickly transformed into a one-sided exhibition of USA-1’s comprehensive dominance. Their commanding performance with both bat and ball not only propelled them to the top of the standings but also firmly established them as the overwhelming favorites to claim their inaugural Rising Stars title.

The foundation of USA-1’s monumental victory was laid by the spectacular batting display of Utkarsh Srivastava, whose masterful innings of 124 runs from 124 balls, adorned with 11 fours and 3 sixes, set the tone for a formidable total. He was ably supported by Sahil Garg, who crafted a polished 85 runs, further solidifying USA-1’s grip on the match. Their 151-run partnership for the second wicket proved to be the cornerstone of the innings, placing Barbados on the back foot early on. Even after Garg’s dismissal, Srivastava continued to anchor the innings, adding another crucial partnership with Adnit Jhamb. This collective batting effort propelled USA-1 to a daunting total of 305 for 8, a target that ultimately proved far beyond Barbados’ reach, despite Shaquan Belle’s commendable five-wicket haul.

Having set a challenging target, the USA-1 bowlers continued the onslaught, dismantling the Barbados batting line-up with clinical precision. Left-arm spinner Sabrish Prasad orchestrated a devastating spell, claiming five wickets for a mere 14 runs, ripping through the middle order and effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Barbados recovery. The defending champions crumbled under the pressure, losing key wickets early and succumbing to a dismal total of 89 runs. Srivastava, showcasing his all-round prowess, complemented Prasad’s brilliance with two wickets, further emphasizing USA-1’s complete dominance in the match.

Elsewhere in the tournament, the Windward Islands secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Trinidad and Tobago, powered by a magnificent century from Stephan Pascal. His explosive innings of 113, punctuated by eight fours and six sixes, completely overshadowed Abdul-Raheem Toppin’s fighting 77 for Trinidad and Tobago. Pascal’s century, combined with a solid contribution from Earsinho Fontaine (41), propelled the Windward Islands to a convincing chase, reaching the target with relative ease. Kirt Murray’s impressive four-wicket haul earlier in the match had significantly restricted Trinidad and Tobago, setting the stage for the Windward Islands’ comfortable victory.

A nail-biting encounter unfolded between Guyana and the Leeward Islands, with Guyana emerging victorious by a narrow margin of two wickets. Chasing a target of 234, Guyana managed to reach the finish line with five balls to spare, thanks to crucial contributions from Rampersaud Ramnauth (48), Jonathan van Lange (47), Afraz Ali Budhoo (34), and Romeo Deonarine (23). The Leeward Islands, despite posting a competitive total on the back of De-Antre Drew (42) and Devanand Singh’s (41) knocks, ultimately fell short as Guyana’s batsmen held their nerve in a thrilling chase.

In a rain-affected match, Jamaica comfortably defeated USA-2 by eight wickets under the DLS method. After restricting USA-2 to a modest total of 147 for 9, courtesy of Vitel Lawes’ four-wicket haul and Kev’Aundre Virgo’s two wickets, Jamaica’s batsmen wasted no time in chasing down the revised target. Brian Barnes’ blistering unbeaten half-century, supported by Tyriek Bryan and Virgo’s contributions, ensured a swift and decisive victory for Jamaica, further highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament. The contrasting fortunes of the two USA teams underscored the depth and competitiveness of the Rising Stars Championship, setting the stage for an exciting finale.