A solid stand from Moeen Ali and an impressive spell from Joshua James have set up Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ 30-run victory in the CPL 2026 clash against Barbados Tridents, played in Antigua.
While Moeen added an unbeaten fifty, James picked 3/18 in a three-over spell that helped Falcons to defend the target after setting up a decent total. With this win, they climbed to the top spot in the CPL 2026 points table.
Batting first, Rakheem Cornwall and Amir Jangoo opened the innings while Daniel Sams opened the bowling attack. Sams bagged the wicket of Cornwall for a golden duck.
Karima Gore, who came to bat at No. 3, scored 27 runs before Mujeeb Ur Rahman bagged his wicket. With Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz at the crease, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons scored 40 runs in the powerplay.
Simmonds bagged the wicket of Hasan Nawaz for 7 runs while Jangoo added 26 runs before being dismissed by Amir Jangoo.
However, a solid stand from Moeen Ali (56*) has set up the side to stabilise the innings and cross the 150-run mark.
With Moeen Ali and Shamar Springer at the crease, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons scored 155 runs in their 20-over innings.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman bagged 2 wickets while Daniel Sams, Gudakesh Motie and Ramon Simmonds bagged one wicket each.
A match-winning spell from the Tobagonian! 💪
Joshua James is tonight’s Player of the Match! 🇦🇬 x 🇧🇧#CPL26 #ABFvBT #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #GuardianGroup pic.twitter.com/ZnqoHDdQMg
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 26, 2026
Chasing the target, Zachary Carter and Shian Brathwaite opened the innings while Jayden Seales opened the bowling attack.
Alzarri Joseph bagged the wickets of the openers, dismissing Shian Brathwaite (7) and Zachary Carter (17). By the end of the powerplay, Tridents scored 45 runs.
Quinton de Kock and Rivaldo Clarke did show some resistance, scoring 16 and 27 runs, respectively. Kevlon Anderson added 22 runs before being dismissed for 22.
However, the remainder of the middle and lower order collapsed as the side lost all 10 wickets and lost the game by 30 runs.
Joshua James bagged three wickets, while Alzarri Joseph, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim bagged two wickets each.
Joshua James was named player of the match. Speaking at the post-match presentation, James said, “It was just to start it simple, use the bigger side of the ground, use the variations, and hopefully that worked here. I would say, Rutherford. I know he’s a very dangerous man, and to get him in the first ball was very, very special for me.”
“I think just the consistency, plenty of spot bowling, knowing where I want to pitch the ball, and using the variations right. I would like to thank all the Falcon fans here for coming out for the past four days and supporting us. The energy was tremendous, and I hope to see you all again next time,” concluded James.