Shadab Khan and Alzarri Joseph Help Falcons End Amazon Warriors’ Unbeaten Run

Shadab Khan and Alzarri Joseph produced match-winning performances as the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons ended the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ unbeaten start to CPL 2026 with a convincing 65-run victory.

The Falcons posted 182 for 5 after being asked to bat first before bowling out the Amazon Warriors for just 117 in 14.2 overs.

The victory moved the Falcons to the top of the CPL table with 13 points, one ahead of the Amazon Warriors, who remain on 12 points but have three games in hand.

The Amazon Warriors had entered the match with a perfect record, having won all six of their previous games. They appeared to be in control after choosing to bowl, with their attack restricting the Falcons to 122 for 4 after 17 overs.

The Falcons’ top order struggled to accelerate despite getting starts. Karima Gore, Evin Lewis, Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz all crossed 20, but none were able to score at a strike rate above 135.

The momentum changed dramatically in the final three overs. Moeen Ali struck 18 off 12 balls, while Fabian Allen added an unbeaten 11 from seven. Shadab then provided the decisive late assault, smashing an unbeaten 30 from just nine deliveries, including two fours and three sixes.

The Falcons collected 60 runs from the final three overs, with Romario Shepherd conceding 41 runs across the 18th and 20th overs.

That late surge lifted Antigua and Barbuda to 182 and put the Amazon Warriors under significant pressure in the chase.

Guyana started aggressively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mavendra Dindyal adding 33 runs from just 14 balls for the opening wicket. However, Joseph quickly shifted the momentum in the Falcons’ favour.

The fast bowler struck twice in the third over, dismissing Gurbaz and Shai Hope, before returning in his next over to remove Dindyal for a 13-ball 25.

Dindyal’s dismissal proved crucial, as his 25 remained the highest individual score of the Amazon Warriors innings.

The collapse continued as Joshua James and Pakistani wristspinners Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim claimed two wickets apiece. Shadab was particularly economical, finishing with 2 for 19 from four overs.

Joseph completed an outstanding spell with 4 for 41, taking his tournament tally to 14 wickets and moving into second place on the CPL 2026 wicket-takers’ list, one behind St Lucia Kings’ Matthew Forde.

The Falcons’ combination of late-innings hitting and disciplined bowling ultimately proved too much for the previously unbeaten Amazon Warriors, who suffered their first defeat of the season.