The 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) crowned a historic new champion Sunday, as the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons pulled off a clinical eight-wicket victory over fellow expansion side Jamaica Kingsmen in a thrilling championship decider at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval. Played in front of a near-capacity crowd that packed one of Caribbean cricket’s most famous venues, the final marked a milestone for the league, bringing together its two newest franchises in a battle for the ultimate regional prize.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Falcons put early pressure on the Kingsmen’s batting lineup. The expansion side responded with a standout innings from opener Maaz Sadaqat, who anchored the entire innings with a blistering century. Sadaqat smashed an aggressive 114 runs off just 58 deliveries, sending eight fours and nine sixes flying to the boundary to lift his side to a seemingly competitive total. He was the only Kingsmen batter to find consistent form, however; number four batter Saim Ayub was the only other player to reach double digits, notching 29 runs off 22 balls. The rest of the lineup collapsed quickly under Falcons bowling pressure, with the Kingsmen finishing their 20 overs at 170 for nine.
Sufyan Moqim delivered the match-winning performance with the ball for the Falcons, earning Player-of-the-Match honors after recording devastating figures of four wickets for just 14 runs. Alzarri Joseph provided solid support, claiming two wickets for 27 runs to help contain the Kingsmen’s late-innings scoring.
Chasing a target of 171 to claim the title, the Falcons got off to a rapid start that put them firmly in control from the earliest overs. They lost opening batter Rahkeem Cornwall off the final delivery of Saim Ayub’s first over, but not before Cornwall hammered 20 runs off just six balls to set the tone for the chase. By the end of the mandatory powerplay, the Falcons had powered to 76 for one, putting the Kingsmen on the back foot immediately.
Evin Lewis, Cornwall’s opening partner, was the second Falcons batter dismissed, falling for 38 in the eighth over with the side sitting comfortably at 84 for two. That early advantage allowed the Falcons’ middle order to close out the chase with minimal risk. Wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo anchored the closing innings, finishing unbeaten on 57 off 34 deliveries that included four boundaries and one maximum. Hasan Nawaz provided steady support at the other end, also remaining unbeaten on 47 off 35 balls. The Falcons reached the winning target of 171 in just 17 overs, finishing at 173 for two to secure the title and cap off a successful debut campaign for the new franchise.