The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons secured their first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title by defeating debutants Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets in the final held in Bridgetown on September 21. The Falcons, participating in only their third CPL season, successfully chased a target of 171 runs with 20 balls remaining, thanks to an unbeaten 89-run partnership between Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz.
Earlier in the match, Sufyan Moqim delivered a decisive bowling performance with figures of 4 for 14, restricting the Kingsmen to 170 for 9 despite Maaz Sadaqat’s outstanding century. Sadaqat scored 114 runs off 58 balls, including nine sixes and eight fours, accounting for more than half of his team’s total. Saim Ayub’s contribution of 29 was the only other significant score for the Kingsmen.
The Kingsmen started strongly after losing Kirk McKenzie for a duck in the opening over and Keacy Carty for nine early in the innings. Sadaqat and Ayub then steadied the innings with an 80-run partnership, advancing the score from 30 for 2 to 110 for 2. However, Moqim turned the tide for the Falcons by taking two wickets in the 12th over, dismissing Ayub and Rovman Powell. The Kingsmen then suffered a collapse, losing four wickets in three overs from 110 for 2 to 113 for 6, despite Sadaqat’s continued aggressive batting.
In response, Rahkeem Cornwall gave the Falcons a strong start by scoring 20 runs in the opening over before his dismissal. Evin Lewis and Amir Jangoo then added 64 runs for the second wicket, firmly placing the Falcons in control of the chase. After Lewis was dismissed for 38, Jangoo remained unbeaten on 57, and Nawaz on 47, to guide the team to victory without further loss.
Shadab Khan was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, contributing 132 runs and taking 11 wickets throughout the CPL season.