Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Win Maiden CPL Title After Eight-Wicket Victory Over Jamaica Kingsmen

Abhirah Goel

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons created history by winning their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title after defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen by eight wickets in the CPL 2026 final at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. The Falcons produced a commanding performance in the championship match, chasing down 171 with 20 balls to spare to lift their first trophy in franchise history.

The victory capped an impressive campaign for a franchise playing only its third CPL season. While Jamaica Kingsmen had Maaz Sadaqat's spectacular century to celebrate, the Falcons' bowling attack and composed run chase ultimately decided the contest.

After winning the toss, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons opted to bowl first. Jamaica Kingsmen initially appeared to be building a strong platform, reaching 59/2 during the Powerplay.

Maaz Sadaqat was the standout batter for the Kingsmen. He raced to his half-century from just 27 balls and continued attacking despite wickets falling at the other end. However, Sufyan Moqim changed the momentum dramatically.

The left-arm spinner claimed four wickets for just 14 runs, including crucial dismissals during a devastating middle-order collapse. Jamaica slipped from 110/2 to 113/6, losing four wickets for only three runs.

Despite the collapse, Sadaqat continued his assault and produced a historic innings.

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Maaz Sadaqat Hits First CPL Final Century

Sadaqat smashed 114 runs from 58 deliveries, including eight fours and nine sixes. His remarkable innings made him the first batter to score a century in a CPL final.

His hundred arrived from only 49 balls and helped Jamaica recover from their mid-innings collapse. Sadaqat eventually fell on the penultimate delivery, but his effort carried the Kingsmen to 170/9 from their 20 overs.

Saim Ayub was the only other Jamaica batter to make a significant contribution, scoring 29. The Kingsmen's inability to build partnerships around Sadaqat left them short of the total they needed.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons responded to the 171-run target with an aggressive start. Rahkeem Cornwall smashed 20 runs from the opening over before being dismissed on the final delivery.

Evin Lewis and Amir Jangoo then continued the momentum. The Falcons reached 76/1 after six overs, putting themselves firmly ahead of the required rate.

Lewis eventually departed for 38, but the wicket did little to change the direction of the match.

Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz Seal Historic Victory

Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz took complete control after Lewis' dismissal. The pair produced an unbeaten 89-run partnership to guide the Falcons towards the target without further damage.

Jangoo finished unbeaten on 57 from 34 balls, while Nawaz scored 47 not out from 35 deliveries. Their partnership ensured that the Falcons never allowed Jamaica Kingsmen to build pressure during the final stages of the chase.

Nawaz finished the match in style by hitting the winning six as Antigua and Barbuda Falcons reached 173/2 in 16.4 overs.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Lift Their First CPL Trophy

The eight-wicket victory secured the first CPL title in Antigua and Barbuda Falcons history. The franchise's success was built around an excellent bowling performance from Moqim followed by a confident batting display.

Moqim's 4/14 earned him the Man of the Match award, while Jangoo and Nawaz provided the finishing touch with their unbeaten partnership.

The result was particularly significant for a franchise that had reached the championship stage after just three CPL seasons.

Another important contributor to the Falcons' title-winning campaign was Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan. He was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after contributing 132 runs and taking 11 wickets during the CPL season.

His all-round performances added balance to the Falcons' squad and played an important role throughout their successful campaign.

 have entered the Caribbean Premier League record books by winning their maiden CPL title. Their eight-wicket victory over Jamaica Kingsmen showcased the team's ability to respond under pressure, particularly after Sadaqat's remarkable century.

While Sadaqat's 114 will remain one of the defining individual performances of the CPL 2026 final, the Falcons had the stronger overall performance. Sufyan Moqim's four-wicket haul, followed by unbeaten half-centuries from Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz, powered the franchise to a memorable championship victory.

For Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the CPL 2026 final marks the beginning of a historic chapter as the franchise celebrates its first Caribbean Premier League trophy.

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