In a stunning display of dominance at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Thursday, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons wrote their name into Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history, becoming the first side to punch their ticket to this year’s T20 tournament final with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors. A tournament breakout for the relatively new franchise, the win was anchored by two standout performances from Player-of-the-Match Shadab Khan, who tore through the Warriors’ batting lineup, and all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, who turned a modest run chase into a highlight-reel demolition with a blistering innings.
Sent in to bat first by the Falcons, the Guyana Amazon Warriors got off to a shaky start, posting 36 for one at the conclusion of the mandatory powerplay, with opener Mavendra Dindyal back in the pavilion for 11 runs. By the end of the seventh over, the Warriors had steadied the ship to reach 40 without further loss, and it looked as though they might build a competitive total. What followed instead was one of the most dramatic collapses in recent CPL history: the side lost eight wickets for just nine runs, crashing to 49 for nine in the 11th over before being bowled out all out for 76 in the 15th over. Only a late 27-run last-wicket stand between fast bowlers Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph saved the Warriors from an even more embarrassing low score. Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope topped the Warriors’ batting chart with just 16 runs apiece.
For the Falcons, the bowling attack was led by spin, with Shadab Khan claiming an incredible four wickets for only 16 runs, while Sufyan Moqim matched his wicket haul, finishing with four for 14 from his own allocation. The devastating spin attack left the Warriors’ batting lineup completely unable to cope with the pressure on a good batting wicket.
Chasing a tiny target of 77 to secure their place in the final, the Falcons did not waste any time. Opening batter Rahkeem Cornwall put on a six-hitting clinic, blasting an unbeaten 49 from only 16 deliveries, including six maximums and three boundaries. Fellow opener Evin Lewis chipped in with an unbeaten 23 from 13 balls, and the Falcons reached their required total in just the sixth over of their reply, finishing at 77 for one to seal the lopsided win.
Speaking after the match, Falcons captain Moeen Ali admitted he had harbored quiet doubts heading into the qualifier, after his side had almost a week off from competitive play. “I’m very happy that we’ve made it to the final with that sort of performance,” Ali said. “It would’ve been amazing if it was in the final. But I was a bit apprehensive, obviously. We haven’t played for seven, eight days and you’re not sure exactly what you’re going to get from the guys, but we were amazing.”
Shadab Khan echoed his captain’s praise for the bowling unit, noting: “I thought the bowlers did an amazing job on a good wicket actually. Then the spinners in the middle just ripped through them.”
Sunday’s final will mark the first time the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons franchise has reached the title decider, and Ali says the side is motivated to bring the trophy home for their passionate fanbase back in the twin islands. “A big part of it is to make them happy and proud of us. If we can have one more big push, because the support we got in Antigua was actually amazing for us. They have an amazing passion for the game and they really want us to do well. We feel like part of the family and it’s amazing to have that feeling.”
For the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the campaign is not over yet. They will get a second chance at qualification when they face the Jamaica Kingsmen in the second qualifier on Friday, with the winner earning the second spot in Sunday’s final. Warriors captain Imran Tahir says his side is focused on redeeming themselves for their supporters, who traveled in large numbers from Guyana and the United States to watch the match. “I think only the promise is that we’re going to come back and we won’t let them down,” Tahir said. “I’m just really sorry, you know, they come in massive numbers from the USA and Guyana. So you know, we have to put in a very big performance for them.”