For only the third time in Caribbean Premier League history, the final will be contested without either Trinbago Knight Riders or Guyana Amazon Warriors, as Jamaica Kingsmen and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons prepare to battle for the 2026 title. The absence of the CPL's traditional powerhouses marks a remarkable change in the tournament's landscape. Trinbago Knight Riders, led by Nicholas Pooran, failed to reach the playoffs, while defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors were eliminated by the Jamaica Kingsmen in Qualifier 2. The Warriors had been widely regarded as favourites to retain their title after also winning the Global Super League last month. Instead, the 2026 season has produced an unexpected final between two of the competition's newest teams. Kingsmen Complete Stunning Playoff Run Jamaica Kingsmen, playing their first CPL season, have emerged as the surprise package of the tournament. Their route to the final appeared unlikely during the group stage. The Kingsmen won only four of their ten matches and entered the playoffs on net run rate after St Lucia Kings missed out. They had also failed to beat three of the other teams that eventually featured in the playoffs during the league phase. However, their fortunes changed dramatically once the knockout stage began. The Kingsmen defeated Barbados Tridents in the Eliminator before producing another major upset against Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 2. Captain Rovman Powell played the decisive role against the Warriors, smashing an unbeaten 40 from just 17 balls to take his side into the final. The Kingsmen now stand one victory away from completing an extraordinary first season with a maiden CPL championship. Falcons Enter First CPL Final Standing in their way are the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, who will also be appearing in their first CPL final. The Falcons were among the strongest teams during the group stage, winning six of their nine completed matches. Unlike the Kingsmen, they have had a relatively straightforward route through the playoffs. The Falcons defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 1 and have since had 11 days to prepare for the final, giving them a significant period of rest before the title clash. Captain Moeen Ali has also brought considerable experience and leadership to the side. After joining the Falcons following his Hundred commitments, the 39-year-old has helped establish a strong team environment despite not producing a huge volume of runs himself. Shadab Khan in the Spotlight Pakistan's strong presence in this year's CPL has been highlighted by the performances of Shadab Khan, who has been one of the tournament's most influential all-rounders. Shadab is currently second in the Player Impact rankings for CPL 2026, with 478.94 Total Impact Points, behind only Sunil Narine. His availability was initially uncertain because of commitments elsewhere, but visa issues affecting his European travel allowed him to commit fully to the Falcons. His contribution has proved valuable as Antigua and Barbuda chase their first CPL title. For Jamaica, Hunain Shah has emerged as a key weapon with the ball. The younger brother of Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has been entrusted with difficult overs, particularly at the death. He has taken eight wickets between overs 16 and 20 this season, including five with yorkers. Hunain has bowled 22 yorkers in CPL 2026, the most by any bowler in the tournament this season. Teams Unlikely to Make Changes Neither side is expected to make significant changes to their playing XI unless injuries or illness intervene. Antigua & Barbuda Falcons: Rakheem Cornwall, Evin Lewis, Amir Jangoo (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Moeen Ali (capt), Shadab Khan, Fabian Allen, Joshua James, Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Sufyan Moqim. Jamaica Kingsmen: Maaz Sadaqat, Kirk McKenzie, Keacy Carty, Saim Ayub, Rovman Powell (capt), Andre Russell, Hassan Khan, Romaine Morris (wk), Keemo Paul, Vitel Lawes, Hunain Shah. Pitch and Weather The final will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados, with the pitch conditions yet to be confirmed. It remains unclear whether a fresh surface will be prepared for the championship match. Rain is also forecast in Bridgetown, potentially adding another variable to an already unpredictable final. Key Stats and Trivia Hunain Shah's effectiveness with the yorker has been one of the notable bowling stories of the tournament. His 22 yorkers are the most bowled in CPL 2026. Among overseas players, only Ali Khan's 37 in 2023 and Salman Irshad's 23 in the same season represent higher single-season totals. The Jamaica Kingsmen have also produced an unusual double this season, finishing fourth in the league stages of both the Pakistan Super League and the CPL before winning both knockout matches to reach the respective finals. Meanwhile, Rakheem Cornwall has a powerplay strike rate of 150.19, the best among batters with at least 50 innings in the CPL powerplay. Falcons captain Moeen Ali has also praised Joshua James for his consistency with the ball, describing the young bowler as a reliable performer who repeatedly delivers under pressure. Powell, meanwhile, summed up the Kingsmen's approach to the playoffs by warning that once a Jamaica side reaches the knockout stage, it can become a dangerous opponent. A Final Unlike Any Other The 2026 CPL final represents a significant break from recent history. Neither Trinbago Knight Riders nor Guyana Amazon Warriors will be competing for the trophy, leaving two of the league's newest franchises to fight for their first championship. For the Kingsmen, victory would complete a remarkable turnaround after an uncertain league campaign. For the Falcons, the final provides an opportunity to turn an impressive group-stage run into the franchise's first CPL title. With both teams chasing history, the Kensington Oval final promises to be a fitting conclusion to one of the most unpredictable CPL seasons yet.

Rovman Powell produced a stunning late assault to guide Jamaica Kingsmen into the CPL 2026 final, describing his unbeaten 40 off 17 balls as possibly the best and most impactful innings he has played in the Caribbean Premier League. Powell's explosive finish helped the Kingsmen chase down Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 2, despite Shimron Hetmyer's brilliant century. Hetmyer struck his second hundred of CPL 2026, but his effort ultimately ended in defeat as Guyana's campaign came to an end. Powell and Hetmyer shared the Player-of-the-Match award after their contrasting performances. "It's special, you know, a really, really special player to come off in a playoff game like this with his entire country on his back," Powell said during the post-match presentation. "He's a world-class player, and it's just unfortunate that he came out on the losing end." Hetmyer also praised Powell for his decisive performance. "Hell of a guy to do something like that," Hetmyer said. "I think they played out of their skin today, and it's really hard, but it couldn't have happened to a better person." Powell's Late-Over Assault Turns the Game Powell walked in with the Kingsmen needing a strong finish. At the beginning of the 18th over, he was on 15 from eight deliveries, with his side requiring 34 runs from the final three overs. The over proved decisive. Powell attacked Imran Tahir on the first delivery, hitting a shot towards deep midwicket. Mavendra Dindyal appeared to complete the catch but stepped on the boundary rope while attempting to release the ball, resulting in a six. Powell then added a boundary later in the over, collecting 15 runs and reducing the target to 19 from the final 12 deliveries. Jamaica Kingsmen eventually completed the chase with two balls to spare. Tahir identified the dropped opportunity as a crucial moment in the match. "Yeah, look, probably the catch," Tahir said when asked about the turning point. "I don't want to put pressure on the youngster. He tried his best. It's always a difficult one. But in that situation, I think that catch was very valuable for our team. And it could have been a different story." Powell Enjoys His Battle with Tahir Powell's attack on Tahir was particularly significant given the spinner's strong record against him. Before the match, Tahir had dismissed Powell five times in 10 T20 innings since the start of 2022, conceding only 51 runs from 45 deliveries. Powell said his approach was different because he was looking to attack rather than survive. "I think when you're batting to survive, your intent is different from when you're batting to really score," he explained. "At that point, I felt as if I would have the better of him because I'm not looking to survive. The googly is a threat, and once I get close to the googly, I back myself to hit it for six." Kingsmen Complete Remarkable Turnaround Jamaica Kingsmen's run to the final represents a remarkable turnaround after the franchise began its maiden CPL campaign with three consecutive defeats. The team gradually found form and confidence during the tournament and secured its place in the playoffs before knocking out Guyana Amazon Warriors. Powell acknowledged that the team had set three targets at the beginning of the competition: reaching the playoffs, making the final and ultimately winning the title. "At the start of the competition, we set out the three goals. To get into the playoffs as a new franchise. And when we get into the playoffs, see if we can squeeze into the final. We have achieved two of those. We'll push for the next one," Powell said. The Kingsmen have also reached the final without a major batting contribution from star allrounder Andre Russell. Apart from his 68 off 38 balls against Barbados Tridents, Russell has managed only 87 runs across his other seven innings. Powell believes the team's resurgence came from growing belief and confidence. "It started out with us losing three games early in the competition, and in the middle of the competition, we found some form, some confidence, realised that we can play cricket as a bunch," he said. "We just wanted to squeeze into the playoffs because we know once you get a Jamaica team into the playoffs, they're dangerous." With their place in the CPL 2026 final secured, the Kingsmen now have one more of their three preseason goals to achieve: winning the title.

Maaz Sadaqat produced a stunning maiden T20 century to power Jamaica Kingsmen into Qualifier 2 of the CPL 2026, as they crushed Barbados Tridents by nine wickets in Bridgetown. Chasing 145, the Kingsmen raced to 145 for 1 in just 14.1 overs, with 35 balls still remaining. Sadaqat was the architect of the emphatic victory, smashing an unbeaten-looking 112 off only 49 balls, with nine fours and eight sixes. The Pakistani left-hander immediately put the Tridents under pressure. After being struck on the hand by a Daniel Sams bouncer in the opening over, Sadaqat responded aggressively, reaching his half-century from just 22 deliveries. He was fortunate to survive early, however, when substitute wicketkeeper Rivaldo Clarke dropped him on 16. Sadaqat made the Tridents pay for the missed opportunity, accelerating rapidly as the Kingsmen reached 79 without loss during the powerplay. In the fifth over, Sadaqat took aim at AM Ghazanfar, launching three consecutive sixes to further tilt the contest in Jamaica's favour. The onslaught continued as he brought up his century from just 44 balls, completing a remarkable transformation of what initially appeared to be a challenging chase. Sams eventually dismissed Sadaqat for 112 in the 14th over, but the damage had already been done. The Kingsmen required only seven more runs at that stage. Kirk McKenzie, who watched the assault from the other end, finished unbeaten on 22 from 34 balls as Jamaica completed a comprehensive victory. Tridents Collapse Before Late Recovery Earlier, Barbados Tridents struggled badly after being asked to bat, slipping to 30 for 5 inside seven overs as the Kingsmen's bowlers struck repeatedly. Quinton de Kock provided the backbone of the innings with an aggressive 71 from 49 balls, while Chris Green produced a valuable unbeaten 57 from 44 deliveries. The pair rebuilt the innings with a crucial sixth-wicket partnership, taking Barbados to 144 for 6 and giving their side a total that offered some hope. However, Sadaqat's extraordinary innings made the target look insignificant. Hassan Khan, Saim Ayub and Hunain Shah claimed a wicket apiece for Jamaica, while Andre Russell was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 36. The nine-wicket victory sends Jamaica Kingsmen into Qualifier 2, while Barbados Tridents' CPL 2026 campaign comes to an end.

Gudakesh Motie produced a stunning late cameo to guide Barbados Tridents to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Jamaica Kingsmen in a thrilling Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 encounter that stretched beyond 1am local time. Motie struck the winning runs in a dramatic final over to complete a remarkable chase and secure the Tridents’ place in the playoffs. Despite suffering defeat, Jamaica Kingsmen also qualified for the knockout stage after finishing fourth in the points table, edging out St Lucia Kings, who ended their campaign with three consecutive defeats. The playoff matchups are now confirmed. Barbados Tridents will meet Jamaica Kingsmen in the Eliminator, while table-toppers Guyana Amazon Warriors will face Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Qualifier 1. Motie Produces Late-Over Magic Chasing 151, the Tridents required 17 runs from the final over with only two wickets remaining. Motie immediately changed the complexion of the contest by finding the boundary through point off Odean Smith. Smith then bowled two wides, with the second delivery prompting an animated reaction from the Kingsmen. Captain Rovman Powell approached the umpires to discuss the decision. With 11 runs still required from five balls, Motie produced another huge blow, slicing a six over long-off to put the Tridents firmly in control. The scores were level when Motie returned to strike for the final delivery. He pulled Smith over short midwicket and sprinted across the pitch in celebration as the Barbados crowd erupted. Descarte Keeps Tridents Alive The Tridents' chase had been anything but straightforward. They kept losing wickets but remained in contention largely because of Shadrack Descarte's composed 56 off 42 balls. Descarte was dismissed attempting another aggressive shot against Andre Russell, leaving Barbados needing 44 runs from 23 deliveries with four wickets in hand. Daniel Sams fell in the 18th over before Motie walked out to the middle. His arrival was immediately followed by a waist-high full toss from Keemo Paul that was called a no-ball, much to Powell's frustration. With 28 runs required from the final 12 balls, Motie and Chris Green attacked Hunain Shah, collecting boundaries from full deliveries. Green was dismissed during an 11-run 19th over, but Motie remained at the crease to finish the job. Kingsmen Falter After Strong Start Earlier, Barbados had made a disciplined start after choosing to bowl first. AM Ghazanfar broke the opening partnership in the fourth over by beating Kirk McKenzie’s attempted hoick. Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan then added 49 runs in six overs to rebuild the innings. Motie once again proved decisive, dismissing both set batters in consecutive overs either side of the halfway mark. Sadaqat top-scored with 47 from 34 deliveries, but his dismissal triggered a collapse. Rovman Powell, Andre Russell and Keemo Paul all fell cheaply while attempting big shots. Jakeem Pollard was the pick of the Tridents' bowlers, finishing with 3 for 38, while Sams claimed two wickets in the final over. However, late contributions from Hassan Khan, who scored 16 off 12 balls, and Keacy Carty, who smashed 15 off just seven deliveries, helped Jamaica reach a competitive 150 despite some loose fielding from Barbados. Tridents Survive Another Collapse The Tridents' innings followed a similar pattern. Descarte was the only batter to make a substantial contribution, while the rest of the batting order struggled to build partnerships. Hassan Khan and Hunain Shah removed the opening batters before Rivaldo Clarke was run out in the sixth over following a direct hit from Powell, leaving Barbados at 33 for 3. Descarte repeatedly found the boundary and ensured the required rate remained manageable. Quinton de Kock departed for 14 off 16 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford was run out at the non-striker's end after a straight drive from Descarte deflected off Paul's fingertips and struck the stumps. Descarte refused to give up, smashing two sixes off Vitel Lawes in the 15th over and leaving the Tridents needing 52 from the final 30 deliveries. What followed was a tense finish, with Motie eventually taking centre stage and delivering the decisive blows in the final over. The victory not only sent the Tridents into the CPL 2026 playoffs but also confirmed Jamaica Kingsmen's qualification, setting up another meeting between the two sides in the Eliminator.

South Africa have been handed another injury concern ahead of their upcoming ODI series against Australia, with fast bowler Ottneil Baartman forced out of action during the opening round of the domestic red-ball season. Baartman, who has been included in South Africa’s ODI squad for the Australia series later this month, bowled only five overs for the Dolphins during their heavy innings-and-60-run defeat to the Titans. The 31-year-old did not bat in the Dolphins’ second innings, raising concerns over his fitness. The exact nature of Baartman’s injury was not immediately known, with an official update on his condition expected on Sunday. Baartman’s setback comes after South Africa already lost fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada from the ODI squad due to a hamstring injury. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has yet to provide a timeline for Rabada’s return and is expected to assess his availability for the three-Test series against Australia, which begins on October 9, closer to the start of the series. Ngidi Also Under Fitness Watch There are also questions surrounding Lungi Ngidi after the seamer bowled 16.3 overs for the Titans against the Dolphins. Ngidi delivered eight overs in the first innings and another 8.3 in the second. He briefly left the field during the Dolphins’ second innings and, although he returned, he did not bowl again for the remainder of the match. South Africa will therefore be monitoring the fitness of several members of their pace attack as they prepare for a demanding assignment against Australia. There was, however, encouraging news regarding Marco Jansen. The all-rounder completed 28 overs in the match and claimed seven wickets, an indication that he is building his workload ahead of the international season. Rickelton Hits 19th First-Class Century South Africa’s batting group also featured several notable performances during the opening round of domestic matches. Ryan Rickelton continued his strong form by scoring his 19th first-class century for the Lions against Boland. The match is still in progress. Test captain Temba Bavuma also contributed strongly in the first innings, scoring 91, but was dismissed for just nine in the second. In Cape Town, David Bedingham, batting at No. 3 for Western Province, made only five against the Warriors, while Kyle Verreynne scored 45. Warriors batter Tristan Stubbs, also occupying the No. 3 position, scored 46 in the first innings and 11 in the second. Dane Paterson has also made an impact with the ball, taking three wickets in the match so far. With the Australia series approaching, South Africa will be hoping that Baartman’s injury is not serious. The fitness of Rabada, Ngidi and the rest of the pace attack will also be closely monitored as the Proteas prepare for a crucial period of international cricket.

India batter Harleen Deol has joined defending champions Barbados Tridents for the remainder of the 2026 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), strengthening their overseas contingent for the tournament. Deol, who is currently not part of India's senior or India A squads, has linked up with the Tridents in Barbados and will remain available for the team until the conclusion of the competition. She becomes the side's fifth overseas player. Her addition takes the number of Indian players competing in the WCPL to five, accounting for a quarter of the tournament's 20 overseas slots. Deol brings international and WPL experience The 26-year-old has represented India in 28 T20Is, scoring 311 runs in 20 innings at a strike rate of 92.01. Her most recent international appearance came against Australia in March this year. At franchise level, Deol has featured in the Women's Premier League for both Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz. She has accumulated 649 runs in 28 WPL matches, striking at 115.68. Her experience adds further batting depth to a Barbados Tridents squad that already includes Indian players Kiran Navgire and Pooja Vastrakar among its overseas contingent. The other Indian players competing in the WCPL this season are Shikha Pandey and Yastika Bhatia, both of whom represent Trinbago Knight Riders. Tridents looking to bounce back Barbados Tridents have played just one match so far in the 2026 WCPL, suffering a 21-run defeat to Trinbago Knight Riders in the tournament opener on September 5. The opening fixture featured notable contributions from three Indian players. Shikha Pandey impressed with figures of 3 for 17, while Yastika Bhatia scored 35 off 28 balls for the Knight Riders. Tridents batter Kiran Navgire also made an impact with a quick 28 off 21 deliveries. With Deol now joining the squad, the defending champions will hope to strengthen their campaign as they look to recover from their opening defeat. Barbados Tridents are scheduled to face Jamaica Empress on Saturday before taking on Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday. Deol's availability gives the champions another experienced batting option as they look to make their push for another WCPL title.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a match-winning spell as Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated Trinbago Knight Riders by six wickets in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 clash in Providence on Friday. The victory was Amazon Warriors’ eighth win in nine matches this season and their 100th victory in CPL history, further strengthening their position at the top of the points table. After winning the toss and opting to field, Amazon Warriors were inspired by Mehidy, who produced a brilliant four-wicket performance. The Bangladesh all-rounder struck twice in the fifth over, dismissing Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran off consecutive deliveries. Mehidy eventually finished with impressive figures of 4 for 23 from four overs. The match was only his second appearance for Amazon Warriors after joining the side as a replacement for Mohammad Nabi. He has already made a significant impact, claiming seven wickets for just 36 runs across his two games. Knight Riders made a brisk start, reaching 43 for 2 during the powerplay, but their innings lost momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Justin Greaves top-scored with 35 off 37 deliveries, while Munro contributed a quick 26 from 16 balls. Trinbago Knight Riders eventually finished on a modest 126 for 8 from their 20 overs. Amazon Warriors approached the chase with composure. They lost Mavendra Dindyal and Glenn Phillips within the first seven overs, but Shai Hope anchored the innings with a controlled unbeaten knock. Hope put the chase firmly on track in partnership with Shimron Hetmyer. The pair added 51 runs, with Hetmyer entertaining the crowd with three sixes during his 28 off 19 balls. Hetmyer was dismissed in the 13th over, while Mehidy was removed for just two runs. However, Hope remained unbeaten and guided Amazon Warriors across the finish line alongside Quentin Sampson. The Warriors reached their target in 18.4 overs, completing a comfortable six-wicket victory. The defeat was another setback for the defending champions, with Trinbago Knight Riders suffering their seventh loss of the season and ending their campaign at the bottom of the CPL 2026 standings. Meanwhile, veteran Kieron Pollard moved closer to another historic milestone. Pollard scored 10 runs in the final over before being dismissed, taking his career tally to 14,999 runs in men's T20 cricket. He now needs just one more run to become the first batter in men's T20 history to reach the landmark of 15,000 runs.

Chris Green starred with a superb four-wicket haul as the Tridents successfully chased down a modest target in their latest Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 encounter on Thursday. The victory took Barbados to eight points from eight matches, while the defeat left the Patriots in sixth place. Patriots Collapse After Early Setbacks Put in to bat first, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots endured a disastrous start, slipping to 6 for 3 early in their innings. Johnson Charles, Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher failed to make an impact, with Green claiming two of the early wickets. Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder attempted to steady the innings, but Green continued to trouble the Patriots' batting line-up. He dismissed Athanaze before removing Dasun Shanaka, leaving the Patriots under severe pressure. The situation worsened when Holder was dismissed in the 12th over, reducing the Patriots to 51 for 6. However, Wanindu Hasaranga launched a counter-attacking innings to give his side some hope. The Sri Lankan all-rounder smashed 45 off just 25 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes. Jeremiah Louis added a quick 12 from eight deliveries as the Patriots reached 118 before being bowled out from the final ball of the innings. Green finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 20 from four overs. He also contributed two catches, earning the Player-of-the-Match award for his all-round performance. Tridents Recover After Early Wickets Chasing 119, Barbados Tridents also found themselves in trouble early. Brandon King was dismissed in the opening over, while Rivaldo Clarke soon followed. Daniel Sams then became Zachary Carter's third wicket, leaving the Tridents struggling at 27 for 3. Quinton de Kock provided the stability his team needed. The South African wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 44 from 43 balls, anchoring the chase through the difficult middle overs. Shadrack Descarte contributed 19, while Sherfane Rutherford provided an aggressive boost with 23 from just 17 deliveries. Daniel Sams eventually sealed the victory, finishing unbeaten on nine from four balls as the Tridents reached their target with four wickets in hand. Green’s All-Round Display Proves Decisive Jason Holder was the Patriots' standout bowler, claiming three wickets, while Naseem Shah picked up two. However, the damage caused by the Patriots' batting collapse proved too difficult to overcome. Green's four-wicket spell and two catches played a central role in restricting the Patriots to 118, before de Kock and the Tridents' middle order guided Barbados home. The four-wicket win not only boosted the Tridents' hopes in CPL 2026 but also lifted them off the bottom of the standings and into fourth place.

Imran Tahir produced a sensational five-wicket haul before Quentin Sampson smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 11 balls as Guyana Amazon Warriors defeated St Lucia Kings in a thrilling low-scoring CPL 2026 encounter. Guyana Amazon Warriors secured their place at the top of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 standings after defeating St Lucia Kings by five wickets in a dramatic low-scoring contest in Providence. Veteran spinner Imran Tahir turned back the clock with a superb five-wicket haul, while Quentin Sampson provided a stunning finish with the bat to complete the chase and hand the Kings their third consecutive defeat. The victory lifted Amazon Warriors to 14 points, ensuring they will finish the league stage at the top of the table, at least one point clear of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. Guyana still have two league matches remaining against Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Tridents. Tahir Dismantles Kings' Lower Order After being asked to bat first, St Lucia Kings made a promising start, reaching 51 for 1 during the powerplay. However, Guyana's bowlers quickly seized control. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, making his CPL debut, struck in his first over before Tahir dismissed the dangerous Kamil Pooran for 43 off 35 balls. The veteran legspinner struck again with his very next delivery, trapping Kings captain Roston Chase lbw for just one. The Kings collapsed from 64 for 4 to 72 for 6 in quick time. Mehidy removed Kemol Savory and Charith Asalanka in the 11th over before Tahir returned to clean up the tail. McKenny Clarke and Matthew Forde were bowled for ducks in the space of three deliveries, while Joshua Bishop was deceived by a wrong'un and trapped lbw. The final wicket completed Tahir's fifth five-wicket haul in T20 cricket and his second in the CPL. He finished with outstanding figures of 5 wickets, while Mehidy claimed three as the pair combined for 8 for 30 and bowled 28 dot balls. The Kings were eventually dismissed for just 119. Amazon Warriors Struggle in the Chase Chasing 120, Guyana Amazon Warriors endured a difficult start. Their openers managed only 12 runs from the first three overs before Chase broke the partnership. The hosts crawled to 23 for 1 at the end of the powerplay and struggled to build momentum. They had still not reached 50 after 11 overs. Glenn Phillips finally ended a 36-ball boundary drought by launching Chase over the boundary with a slog-swept six. He attacked Maheesh Theekshana in the following over as well, but the Sri Lankan spinner had the final say, bowling Phillips for 37 off 40 balls. The pressure increased when Asalanka dismissed Shai Hope and Chase removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz within five deliveries, leaving Amazon Warriors at 69 for 4 in the 15th over. Sampson Produces Sensational Finish With 48 runs still required from 30 balls, Shimron Hetmyer and Quentin Sampson shifted the momentum in the 16th over, smashing a six each off Asalanka. Although Hetmyer fell in the 18th over and Romario Shepherd departed in the 19th, Sampson remained composed and finished the game in spectacular fashion. The youngster smashed 37 unbeaten runs from just 11 deliveries, including five sixes and a four. His final four balls produced 6, 6, 4 and 6, taking the Amazon Warriors over the line with nine balls to spare. Sampson's explosive cameo ensured there would be no late collapse and capped a memorable victory for the Guyana side. Amazon Warriors Confirm Top Spot The win moved Guyana Amazon Warriors to 14 points and guaranteed them first place in the CPL 2026 league standings. With two matches still remaining, the Amazon Warriors have an opportunity to strengthen their position further before the playoffs. St Lucia Kings, meanwhile, will be looking to arrest their slide after suffering their third successive defeat. Tahir's five-wicket masterclass and Sampson's breathtaking late assault combined to give Guyana a victory that perfectly showcased the contrasting skills that have powered their campaign.

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.