Moeen Ali, Joshua James Lead Falcons to 30-Run Win Over Tridents

Moeen Ali produced a stunning late assault with the bat before Joshua James and the Falcons' bowlers combined to dismantle Barbados Tridents, as Antigua and Barbuda Falcons secured a 30-run victory in the CPL 2026.

The win lifted the Falcons back to the top of the points table, although they have already played seven matches—more than the other leading teams in the competition.

After losing the toss, Falcons were sent in to bat and suffered an early setback when Rahkeem Cornwall was bowled by Daniel Sams off the first ball of the match.

Amir Jangoo, Karima Gore and Hasan Nawaz helped steady the innings, but the Falcons struggled to score freely during the middle overs. The situation changed when Moeen Ali arrived at the crease at No. 5.

Jangoo was dismissed soon after, while Shadab Khan failed to make a significant contribution. Moeen, however, found an effective partner in Shamar Springer, and the pair transformed the innings with an unbeaten 75-run partnership from just 41 balls.

Moeen saved his best for the final over. With Falcons needing a late surge, he launched Sams for three consecutive sixes to begin the over and finished it with a remarkable 20 runs. He remained unbeaten on 56, striking three fours and four sixes, while Springer contributed 19 from 16 balls.

Falcons eventually posted 155 for 5, a competitive total after what had initially looked like a below-par batting performance.

Tridents' chase never gathered momentum. They reached 45 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, with Alzarri Joseph dismissing Shian Brathwaite and Zachary Carter, but the required acceleration never came.

Rivaldo Clarke top-scored with 27 from 26 balls, while Kevlon Anderson made 22 at a strike rate of 137.50. Their 39-run partnership offered Tridents some hope, but Joshua James broke the stand and triggered another collapse.

Sherfane Rutherford's first-ball dismissal, brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Anderson Phillip in the deep, further damaged Tridents' hopes.

James finished with excellent figures of 3 for 18, while Alzarri Joseph, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim claimed two wickets apiece. Tridents were eventually bowled out for 125 at the end of the 18th over.

Moeen's unbeaten half-century provided the foundation, while James' incisive spell ensured the Falcons completed a convincing 30-run victory. James was named Player of the Match for his three-wicket performance.

The result also gave the Falcons an immediate response after their heavy defeat against Guyana Amazon Warriors two days earlier, sending them back to the top of the CPL 2026 standings.