Antigua & Barbuda Falcons etched their name into Caribbean Premier League history on Thursday night, becoming the first team to book their place in the 2026 final with a devastating nine-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval.
In a performance that will be remembered for generations, the Falcons recorded the second-fastest win in CPL history, needing just 32 balls to chase down a paltry target of 77 after bowling the Warriors out for a mere 76.
The demolition job was orchestrated by spin twins Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, who claimed four wickets apiece in a mesmerising display of leg-spin bowling.
Khan’s stunning hat-trick of googlies in his second over completely shattered the Warriors’ middle order, leaving the 2023 champions reeling at 45 for 6.
The Falcons’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved inspired.
While the Warriors made a steady start to reach 34 for 1 inside the PowerPlay, the quality of the Falcons’ bowling attack, which has been the cornerstone of their campaign, came to the fore immediately after.
Moqim struck first, removing Glenn Phillips and Mohammad Haris in quick succession before Khan produced his magic.
The Pakistani spinner dismissed Shimron Hetmyer, trapped Mehidy Hasan Miraz LBW, and then bowled Quentin Sampson through the gate with a perfectly flighted delivery to complete his hat-trick and ignite wild celebrations among the Falcons fielders.
Moqim then returned to claim two more wickets, accounting for Khary Pierre and Shai Hope, before Khan picked up his fourth. A brief resistance from Romario Shepherd, who struck two boundaries, was swiftly ended by Shamar Springer as the Warriors’ innings folded in just 16 overs.
The run chase was never in doubt once Rahkeem Cornwall took strike. The powerful opener came out with clear intent, taking the attack to Warriors captain Imran Tahir, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Khary Pierre in a brutal display of power hitting.
Cornwall raced to 49 from just 16 balls, narrowly missing Andre Russell’s record for the fastest CPL fifty, before falling to Tahir with victory in sight.
His innings included some exquisite strokes that left the Warriors’ bowlers searching for answers.
Evin Lewis, who had wisely surrendered the strike to Cornwall during the onslaught, took over the mantle upon his partner’s departure.
Despite suffering from cramp, Lewis punished Shamar Joseph for 21 runs in six deliveries, ensuring the Falcons would cross the finish line in emphatic fashion.
Amir Jangoo, who had earlier taken a sharp catch behind the stumps, had time to strike a boundary before Lewis fittingly hit the winning runs, completing the chase in just 5.2 overs.
The Falcons advance to their first CPL final on Sunday, where they will face the winner of tomorrow night’s eliminator between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Kingsmen. (CMC)
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