In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Barbados Pride emphatically ended their seven-year championship drought by crushing Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with a commanding nine-wicket victory in the CG United Super50 Cup final. The November 29 showdown at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba witnessed the visitors dismantle the home team’s ambitions with remarkable efficiency, chasing down Red Force’s modest total of 168 runs with 20.3 overs remaining.
Barbadian skipper Kyle Mayers orchestrated the triumphant campaign with an unbeaten 89-run masterclass, demonstrating the aggressive yet intelligent leadership philosophy he implemented throughout the tournament. ‘My approach centers on empowering players through positivity and fearless cricket,’ Mayers revealed following the championship victory. ‘We aimed to be strategically aggressive while maintaining smart decision-making in crucial moments.’
The Pride’s bowling unit established the foundation for their success, with Joshua Bishop’s exceptional performance earning him the Curtly Ambrose Award for his eight wickets at an impressive average of 13.37. The team’s depth proved particularly advantageous this season, as Mayers noted: ‘Barbados possesses widespread cricketing talent. Our achievement stems from assembling these quality players and positioning them for optimal performance.’
For the Red Force, the final represented a disappointing conclusion to a challenging tournament plagued by weather disruptions and inconsistent performances. Captain Joshua Da Silva acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly regarding their familiarity with home conditions. ‘The pitches weren’t up to standard, especially during daytime matches where excessive spin created difficulties,’ Da Silva conceded. ‘I accept responsibility for our batting performance—we simply didn’t execute adequately.’
Despite the defeat, Da Silva highlighted several positive developments, including the emergence of young talents Cephas Cooper, Abdul-Raheem Toppin, and Shatrughan Rambaran. The tournament also marked the final Regional Super50 appearance for veteran Jason Mohammed, who concludes his career with a record 3,827 runs, leaving both a significant void and opportunities for new players to shape the team’s future.
The victory secured Barbados’ eighth overall title in the regional 50-over competition while extending Trinidad and Tobago’s wait for a record fifteenth championship to the 2026 season.