LAUDERHILL, USA (CMC) — Denesh Ramdin hammered an unbeaten half-century as Trinbago Knight Riders celebrated their spot in the Caribbean Premier League play-offs by defeating St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by eight wickets here yesterday.

Chasing 138 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, TKR eased to victory with three overs to spare, with Ramdin stroking 52 not out and New Zealander Brendon McCullum, an unbeaten 43.

The pair added 74 in an unbroken, third-wicket stand to ensure their side wrapped up their preliminary-round campaign on a winning note.

Ramdin faced 46 balls and counted six fours, while McCullum, whose form this tournament has been ordinary, struck two fours and three sixes in a 28-ball knock.

Ramdin’s knock was necessary after Knight Riders lost South African Hashim Amla to the fourth ball of the run chase for six, caught at mid-on off seamer Jeremiah Louis with six runs on the board.

The former West Indies Test captain then staged a recovery, putting on 58 for the second wicket with opener William Perkins, whose 29 came from 24 deliveries and included four fours and six.

When the right-handed Perkins was deceived by a Jonathan Carter slower ball and was caught at cover at 64 for two in the eighth over, Ramdin and McCullum combined to see Knight Riders safely home.

Earlier, Lendl Simmons emerged from a slump to top-score with an unbeaten 60 as Patriots, sent in, finished on an inadequate 137 for six off their 20 overs.

Left-handers Carter and Powell both made 23, while TKR captain and medium pacer Dwayne Bravo bowled brilliantly to claim four for 13 from his four overs.

However, Simmons put on 44 for the fourth wicket with Carter and then another 54 for the fifth wicket with Shamarh Brooks, who made 17, to keep the innings afloat.

Simmons, who faced 40 balls and belted three fours and four sixes, made the difference for Patriots in the final overs.