FALCONS BEAT KINGSMEN IN CLOSE CPL OPENER

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons started off their 2026 season of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League with a nail-biting last ball 2-wicket win over newcomers Jamaica Kingsmen at Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Kingsmen posted 167 – for -7 off their allotted 20 overs after being sent into bat by the Falcons. The innings didn't provide much fireworks as Captain Rovman Powell led the scoring with a measured 47 off 37 balls, opener Reeza Hendricks on his CPL debut supported well with a 25 ball 42.

Alzarri Joseph starred with ball claiming 3-for-34 to earn the player of the match award.

In reply, Falcons were in control for majority of the chase on the back of a 64-run partnership between New Zealander Tim Robinson and USA all-rounder Tajinder Singh to reach the target 168-for-8. They stuttered towards the end, losing three wickets in the last 9 deliveries of their innings. Andre Russell dismissed Singh in the 19th over for a top score of 62

Falcons entered the final over needing another 6 runs to secure an opening day victory against Hunain Shah's bowling. Shah struck twice, removing Jahmar Hamilton for 3 and Usama Mir for a duck. They needed 2 runs off the last ball for the win or 1 to force a super over with Shamar Springer on strike. Springer dug out a full-length delivery to long on forcing Kingsmen captain into a misfield allowing the batters to pick up a second run.

Keemo Paul led the Kingsmen attack picking up 3-for-29 and Andre Russell 2-for-34.

Kingsmen captain Rovman Powell felt his team fell short in their batting, "...looking at our start as a batting group, we felt as if we were 5 to 10 runs short, 175 is definitely a winning score here."

Meanwhile, Fabian Allen was expectedly pleased with the outcome. "It was a tight call at the end, but a win is a win." "The way the guys bowled and batted was a solid all-round performance, so I'm happy with that."