Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs Jamaica Kingsmen, Final, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - CommentaryABF vs JKM, Final, Caribbean Premier League 2026 - Commentary

The Antigua and Barbuda Islands are known for 365 beaches. And I am sure most of it will be flocked today for umpteen parties. The Falcons have their name embossed on the CPL 2026 Trophy. They have left an imprint tonight just like the previous games. They have been mostly flawless and deserve to lift the Trophy. Indeed it will always be about the winners but credit to the Jamaican team as well. They tried their best but didn't get enough runs on the board. We had a gala time covering the entire tournament! We will be back soon with more cricketing action.

Moeen Ali (2/2): [On the changes] Yeah, we didn't want the way Maaz (Sadaqat) was playing. I didn't want to open with an off-spinner because he does play off-spin quite well and he takes it on, and I wanted someone with pace to bowl at him, have two guys with good pace at him. And we just felt like the wicket may have a bit of bounce, which it did, and he got a great wicket for us up top, and I still think he bowled really, really well. [On their batting] The first five balls with the way Rahkeem plays was outstanding, and, you know, it just sets the tone, and everyone played a brilliant... Everyone really played well. Jangoo, I really want to mention Jangoo's innings because a lot of people have been saying about his strike rate, etc., but he's always got runs, 20, 30 every time. And tonight I had a gut feel, a few of us did, that he was going to do the job because he's that character. He's a run-scorer, and he's got a brilliant fight in him, and I'm really pleased for him. [How significant were the coaching staff's contributions?] Massive. And behind the scenes, you know, Nico was outstanding, Andy, all of them, from the physios to every single person, Willow, Nico, all the guys that make my life easy for me because there was a lot of issues going on initially, but we sorted them out, and they were massive. I mean our analysis guy, was outstanding. [A word for the fans] Yeah, look, amazing fans. We've had great support throughout, and this is for the people of Antigua. The crowd, the people that came and showed their support was second to none. So we're really proud of what we've done for you guys more than anything.

Moeen Ali | Falcons captain (1/2): [How special is this for you personally and for your franchise?] Yeah, very special. I think more for the franchise, more for the players and the coaching staff and everybody that was involved. It's been a tough journey, but a great journey. The time's gone quick for us because we've enjoyed each other's company, and you can see on the field the way we played. I thought tonight was an outstanding performance again. But yeah, really, really pleased with the way we performed throughout the competition, and it was a decent final in the end. I mean, the dew made a big difference, but it was a great toss to win. [Reflect for me on those special moments along the way?] Honestly, that game I played at Saint Lucia, we were only defending 57 off ten overs and we almost won that game. And from there I just saw fight and I saw great determination from the guys, and I thought at least there's something great to work with. And then it was just getting the guys right. I mean, having two wrist spinners, two pace guys up top, then two death bowlers. It's not always easy to combine, but I think, you know, the biggest difference was the players that came in and out for a couple of injuries in between, Karima Gore and Fabian Allen, guys like that came in and out, and it wasn't easy, but they made a huge difference, quality players and always gave everything.

Rovman Powell (3/3) [On the Falcons winning their first CPL title and the impact on Antigua cricket] Nah, it's obviously a proud moment for them. It's a proud moment for all the people in Antigua. If you should look on the home leg that they had, it was fantastic. The people came out and support them and that goes a far way. it goes a far way for the young cricketing public in Antigua. To see their stars, Alzarri Joseph, Rakheem Cornwall and those guys doing it on the big show, on the big stage so hopefully those guys, those little kids back in Antigua can get motivation from that and once they take motivation from that, they keep pushing in the right direction and hopefully it's a growth for the sport in Antigua.

Rovman Powell (2/3): [On the overall journey of the campaign] I honestly felt it's a proud journey for us. We have accomplished a lot of things. We set out to be in the finals and when we come to the finals, we see if we can progress to the finals. It's a slow start to the competition. We lost our first two games. We built a little bit of momentum with our crowd, with our home crowd back home in Jamaica and I think from there the guys start to believe that we can actually play cricket. We went to Trinidad. It's a difficult place to play cricket, we played a very good game down there and confidence keep on building within the team. We know as soon as we squeeze into the last four of the competition how dangerous our team can be and guys just keep chipping in. Credit has to be given to them throughout the entire competition. They listened to the leadership that myself and the head coach provided them and I'm actually proud of the boys.

Rovman Powell | Jamaica Kingsmen captain (1/3): [On his emotions after the defeat] Nah, it's a good feeling to be honest. I think it's a very hard-fought campaign for us. I'm so proud of the boys. [On the assessment at the halfway stage after scoring 170] I think at the halfway stage we felt as if we were 10-15 short, to be honest. We know that it's a pretty good batting wicket. Credit has to be given to our batters how they batted the first ten overs. I think Maaz (Sadaqat) played fantastic for us, and the partnership that he string with Saim (Ayub), right there, carries to 100 for two in ten. It's disappointing that as a batting group on such a good batting wicket we didn't really capitalise on such a start. [On the critical moments that went against the Kingsmen] I think as a batting group when we lost four wickets in the middle overs, four of our main, our key batters, four batters that are supposed to put the impetus on the game, in the last ten overs and as a bowling group, we didn't control the power play as well as we wanted to.

Shadab Khan (2/2): [You're the third person to achieve a hat-trick in the history of the CPL, how did you enjoy that moment?] Very happy because, you know, that type of milestone, as a player, in your career, and I get it on the play-off qualifier, so go on a bigger occasion. So I'm very happy because, again as a bowler, when you're doing these type of stuff, especially in the middle overs, most of the time your team will win. So most importantly if your team is winning and you're doing well for the team and you contributed for the team, more than happy. [What would you hope that this sort of season would do for you personally in your career?] For a year, I think it's so far going so well. So I wanted to continue with that because I know last year I had a surgery, so I was six to eight months out, and after that I know it was very hard. I think I have to dedicate my player of the tournament to my whole family because I know they were struggling a lot with me, because when you have a young child going through for surgery, my mother and my parents, they had to go through for a lot, and most importantly I wasn't in good news all the time, so might be they see the TV and the social media where they get upset as well. So they need that type of happiness, so I have to dedicate to them as well.

Shadab Khan | Player of the Tournament (1/2): Obviously when you play as an all-rounder, you try to give it everything on the field, either it's bowling or batting. So I think especially bowling was, wherever I bowled, because in the middle overs you need to contain as well and you have to take wickets. So I think the bowling-wise I think I done so well because I was struggling for the last couple of years. So I needed that type of performance, which I get it, and hopefully from here I get a proper rhythm and confidence from here. [If you had to point to one thing that made the difference in your batting success, what would that be?] I think I was mentally free, because that role team gave me, I know that I have to fulfill that role wherever I come, because most of the time I have to play the death overs. I make my mind that way as well, and when you are mentally free, you know, you will get a failure as well, you accept the failure, but I think when you are free, that type of mindset, most of the time you succeed, and I think the mindset was there.

The Biggest 6 award goes to Rovman Powell. He hit one beyond the 100 metres and that monstrous hit has helped him pocket this award. The classic catch of the season award goes to Navin Bidaisee. The Highest Individual Score award goes to Dasun Shanaka. Kusal Perera takes the award on his behalf.

Sufyan Moqim: [On Shadab Khan translating Mukeem's answer and the significance of the award] He did so well throughout the tournament. Obviously when you perform in the final, he is very happy and he dedicates his Man of the Match performance just to our legend Ambrose because it is his birthday, I think he's now 63, maybe at 12 o'clock, after 20 minutes he will be 63, so he dedicates his Man of the Match to legend. [On controlling his bowling despite the dew] He tried to keep it simple, like it was a dew there, difficult to bowl on, but he tried to keep it simple, try to bowl good area all the time. [On whether the conditions helped his bowling] Yeah, it is obviously, it was a little bit tough condition because of the dew, but overall he tried to mix it up, his variation and he gets succeed of that as well. [On where this title ranks in his career] He says, like obviously he won two finals because he played PSL and he played Asia Cups as well. He won there as well. So he's always a lucky charm. Whenever he goes to the final, they win it and obviously he already make a mind because he done well in the last game and in this game he's trying to do well as well, because our legend has a birthday, so he wanted to dedicate that. So he already make a plan for that.

Jahmar Hamilton: [How does this feel for you?] I mean, for winning for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, this year is special. This year is for the Antigua and Barbuda public and they've been rallying behind us. And as we say in Antigua, Barbuda is believe, man. So we did believe tonight, and this one is for all our fans.

Sir Curtly Ambrose: [What a birthday present this is for you. How do you feel?] I mean, words can't really describe my feeling, because six years ago when we started, not many gave us a chance. They called all the franchises, and the Falcons were never in the conversation until deep in the tournament, where we started to look like a well-oiled machine and a well-closing-knit unit. We start talking about the Falcons. But we believe from the very beginning that we have what it takes to win this championship, and we finally did it. [What do you say to young Antiguans who want to play the sport?] I mean, every time you win, it generates interest, and I'm quite sure that a lot of youngsters in Antigua will want to play cricket now because of success, and that's what success brings. You know, but for me, I mean, it's really special. We have a lot of Antiguans here. Our prime minister is here. I mean, we're just elated, and we deserve to win because I think we played the best cricket consistently throughout the tournament. [What word will you say?] Jubilation!

Paul Nixon: The guys have been amazing all year. We've been so committed, so clear. Moeen has been an exceptional captain. Everybody's had an impact in the team and the dressing room, and it's been amazing. Big shout-out to the backroom staff and analysts; it's been world class. So many people have given so much, and I'm just so proud for the Antiguans who backed us, and tonight the boys played beautifully. Jangoo's had a great competition, seen it through in style. So proud, so humbled. Lovely. [What is it about this competition and you?] Amazing people. Surround yourself with quality.

Wilden Cornwall: This moment means so much. So much for me and my country. This is our third year trying, and I knew that something about this team, this Antigua team, that some glory behind it. And there are so many people behind the scenes that make this team a successful team. The man here, so much to thank him for. How we go about our planning, what we want to do, how we're gonna execute, the environment that we want to make our players feel at home. Hey, and passionate. Believe, believe, Antigua.

Rahkeem Cornwall: [What do you say to the people of Antigua, where you guys performed so well?] From day one, I think the people of Antigua supported us from day one. The way how the crowd come out and support us. I just have to say thank you, and this is for the proud in Antigua and Barbuda. [What did it mean to you to see this crowd?] Yeah, I'm really surprised to see a lot of Antiguans come down and support us. We feel the love from them, and we couldn't do better, just come out and win the game for Antigua.

Alzarri Joseph: [What do you say to the world?] Well, I think we had a really good tournament. We had a really good team. Everyone gelled together, and we all believed. So I think this is a result of all the hard work we put in. [What do you put your success down to?] I think it's just doing the simple things consistently. Not thinking too much. Just doing what is required on each surface.

Jayden Seales: [How does it feel?] I have no words. I have no words. I'm really happy to be a part of this team and to be able to win CPL. We believed from the very beginning, and now we've done it. So really, really happy. [What do you say to the fans watching from around the region and the world?] Just thanks. We felt all the love. We felt all the love from Antigua. We know they're celebrating hard now, and we're really happy to have won it for them.

Amir Jangoo: [On the team's performance and the victory] Yeah, magnificent feeling. We knew when we bowled first, they got probably 50 runs too short, so we knew the wicket was a good one and thankfully, yeah, we did it. [How did you pull it off tonight?] As I said, our leader, he told us that he just wanted us to pick an impact. It doesn't matter about personal milestones; if it comes, it comes. But throughout this whole tournament, all the guys, we were playing as a team. Whatever impact you make, just add it to the team, and that's what we did. So that, yeah, it's amazing. [How proud a moment is this for this incredible franchise?] Yeah, definitely. Even when we were, like, second or first in the table, they still wasn't counting us as someone to challenge for the title. But yeah, I think they have to put some respect on this franchise name now. I think that we played brilliant cricket, and I said I can't thank the leaders enough. All my teammates have believed in me from day one, even when I was struggling a bit. So I'm happy. I'm so happy.

23:22 Local Time, 03:22 GMT, 08:52 IST: The Falcons have been rewarded for their consistent run. Their mates now have barged in and have engulfed the two batters. They were fifth a couple of season back, fourth last year and finally have their maiden silverware. They restricted the opponents to 170 and with the bat went ballistic from ball 1. Cornwall played a cameo and got out in the first over. That set the platform though and then Lewis and Jangoo got together to take their team to a comfortable position. Hasan Nawaz came in and batted with flair which meant the target was chased down in the 17th over. They just sailed through this. There is a new CHAMPION IN THE CPL! The Falcons have flown high today. You want to know how the Falcons hunt, just go through today's game!