Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Lift Maiden CPL 2026 Title Despite Sadaqat's Ton

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-21 16:36:00

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons scripted a historic chapter in Caribbean franchise cricket on Monday, securing their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2026) championship crown with an emphatic eight-wicket demolition of the Jamaica Kingsmen at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Led by captain Moeen Ali, the Falcons chased down a stiff target of 171 with 20 balls to spare, finishing the contest at 173/2 in just 16.4 overs. The high-voltage title showdown delivered a rare spectacle headlined by two Pakistani stars: Maz Sadaqat etched his name into the record books by becoming the first batter ever to blast a century in a CPL final, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Mokim delivered the most economical, lethal spell in CPL final history to completely turn the tide for the Falcons.

Mokim's Historic 4-Wicket Masterclass Checks Sadaqat's Blistering 114

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Moeen Ali's decision paid early dividends when Jayden Seales dismissed Kirk McKenzie for a duck, followed by Shadab Khan removing Keacy Carty for just 9. Opener Maz Sadaqat waged a fierce counter-assault, stitching an 80-run recovery stand for the third wicket alongside Saim Ayub (29). Sadaqat bludgeoned an astonishing 114 off just 58 deliveries, studded with eight boundaries and nine towering sixes, but received virtually no late-innings support. Sufyan Mokim ripped through the middle order with a sensational spell of 4 for 14 in his four overs, removing Saim Ayub, Jamaica skipper Rovman Powell, Hasan Khan (1), and Keemo Paul (1). With Alzarri Joseph (2 wickets) removing dangerous finisher Andre Russell for 2 and Shamar Springer finally dismissing Sadaqat, the Kingsmen were restricted to 170 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Cornwall’s First-Over Carnage and Unbeaten Jangoo-Nawaz Stand Seal Maiden Trophy

The Falcons kicked off their 171-run chase with extreme aggression as Rahkeem Cornwall launched a 20-run assault in the opening over with two sixes and two fours before Saim Ayub bowled him on the final delivery. Evin Lewis stepped up to maintain the momentum, smashing 38 before falling, but not before anchoring a 64-run second-wicket partnership with Amir Jangoo. From that juncture, Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz produced an ice-cool, unbroken 89-run alliance for the third wicket to guide the Falcons across the finish line. Jangoo struck an unbeaten 57 off 34 deliveries featuring four boundaries and three maximums, while Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 47 off 35 balls with three fours and three sixes, sealing the Falcons' status as the undisputed champions of CPL 2026.

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