The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have been crowned 2026 Caribbean Premier League champions for the first time, completing a memorable campaign with an emphatic eight wicket victory over the Jamaica Kingsmen in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The Falcons successfully chased down a target of 171, reaching 173 for two in just 16.4 overs to secure the historic title with 20 balls remaining. Their victory was built around another outstanding bowling performance from Sufyan Moqim before Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz calmly finished the job with the bat.
Jamaica had earlier been asked to bat and immediately showed their attacking intentions.
Maaz Sadaqat launched Jayden Seales for six from the very first delivery of the final, setting the tone for what would become a remarkable individual innings. However, Seales responded before the end of the opening over by dismissing Kirk McKenzie.
Keacy Carty also fell during the powerplay, but Sadaqat continued to attack as Jamaica reached 59 for two after six overs.
The Kingsmen appeared well positioned to build a huge total when Sadaqat raced to his half century from only 27 deliveries, but the introduction of Sufyan Moqim completely changed the direction of the innings.
Moqim struck twice in his first over, removing Saim Ayub and captain Rovman Powell. Shadab Khan then dismissed Romaine Morris before Moqim claimed Hassan Khan, leaving Jamaica in serious trouble after losing four wickets for only three runs across 12 deliveries.
Despite the collapse around him, Sadaqat produced one of the greatest innings ever seen in a CPL final.
The right hander reached his century from 49 balls, becoming the first batter in CPL history to score a hundred in the tournament final. He continued attacking until the penultimate delivery of the innings, eventually departing for a superb 114.
His effort helped Jamaica recover to a competitive 170 for nine from 20 overs, while Moqim finished with outstanding figures of four wickets for 14 runs.
Antigua & Barbuda then made their intentions clear immediately during the chase.
Rahkeem Cornwall smashed 20 runs from the opening over before being bowled from the final delivery, giving the Falcons an explosive start despite his early dismissal.
Evin Lewis and Amir Jangoo maintained the momentum, pushing the score to 76 for one after the six over powerplay.
Lewis eventually fell to Vitel Lawes with the Falcons on 84, but Jamaica were unable to find another breakthrough.
Jangoo was joined by Hasan Nawaz, and the pair took complete control of the chase.
Their unbeaten 89 run partnership ensured the required run rate never became a serious problem. Jangoo brought up his half century as Antigua & Barbuda moved closer to the target, while Nawaz kept the pressure on the Jamaican bowlers.
The championship was eventually sealed in emphatic fashion when Nawaz launched the winning runs for six.
The shot sparked huge celebrations as the Falcons players raced onto the field, knowing they had secured the first Caribbean Premier League title in the franchise’s history.
The victory completed an impressive playoff run for Antigua & Barbuda.
They had reached the final after producing another dominant bowling performance against Guyana Amazon Warriors, dismissing them for only 76 before completing a nine-wicket victory. Shadab Khan claimed a hat trick in that contest, while Moqim also collected four wickets, underlining how important the Falcons’ spin attack became during the decisive stages of the tournament.
The final once again highlighted that strength.
Sadaqat’s sensational century gave Jamaica hope, but the Kingsmen struggled to build partnerships around him after Moqim and Shadab dismantled the middle order.
For the Falcons, the response with the bat was equally impressive. Cornwall provided the early acceleration before Jangoo and Nawaz demonstrated the composure required to finish a major final.
For Jamaica, Sadaqat’s 114 will still be remembered as a historic CPL innings, even though it ultimately came in defeat.
For Antigua & Barbuda, however, the night belonged to an entire team.
A devastating bowling spell, an aggressive powerplay and a controlled chase combined to deliver an eight-wicket victory and a historic first championship.
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are the 2026 Caribbean Premier League champions and after one of their strongest performances of the season in the final, they lifted the trophy in convincing style.
