The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have sent a strong message heading into the Caribbean Premier League playoffs, becoming the first team this season to defeat the Guyana Amazon Warriors while locking down a top-two finish.

The Falcons delivered one of their strongest performances of the 2026 campaign Tuesday night, beating the previously unbeaten Warriors by 65 runs at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Antigua and Barbuda had already secured a place in the Final Four, but there was still plenty riding on the match. A victory would guarantee a top-two position and give the Falcons two opportunities to reach the CPL Final.

Sent in to bat, the Falcons were tested during the middle overs as experienced spinners Imran Tahir and Mohammad Nabi slowed the scoring.

But the closing stages belonged firmly to the visitors.

The Falcons hammered 72 runs from the final five overs to finish on 182 for five, with Shadab Khan providing a blistering finish. He smashed an unbeaten 30 from just nine deliveries to turn a competitive score into a daunting target.

The Falcons then struck early with the ball.

Alzarri Joseph ripped through the top order, taking two wickets in the third over before striking again as Guyana attempted to attack during the Power Play.

Joshua James also made an immediate impact, removing dangerous batsman Shimron Hetmyer with his first delivery.

Guyana still managed to reach 71 for four at the end of the Power Play, but the Falcons quickly tightened their grip on the contest.

Shadab and Sufiyan Muqeem combined for four wickets in four overs through the middle stages, leaving the Warriors’ chase in tatters.

Joseph later returned to complete impressive figures of four for 41, while James wrapped up the innings as Guyana were dismissed for just 117 inside 15 overs.

Falcons captain Moeen Ali described the performance as the team’s best victory of the campaign and said finishing among the top two had remained an important objective even after qualification was secured.

“I really wanted that top two,” Moeen said.

He also spoke about the significance of proving that the Warriors, who had been dominant throughout the preliminary stage, could be beaten.

“I wanted us to show everyone that Guyana can get beat. They’re a brilliant side, but to beat them here, they’re formidable and very well balanced, so it’s pleasing to come and win here.”

The result was particularly satisfying for the Falcons after the Warriors defeated them earlier in the competition at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Head of Franchise Operations Sabrina Webster said going into Guyana and reversing that result made the victory even more meaningful.

“Coming to Guyana and taking the victory after losing to them at home makes this one particularly special for us,” Webster said.

“We knew we had a point to prove, but more importantly, we knew we had the ability to compete with this team.”

Webster said ending Guyana’s unbeaten run on their home ground also reflected the confidence developing within the Falcons camp.

“This win is not just about settling the score from our first encounter. It is about showing what the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are capable of,” she said.

The victory moves the Falcons to 13 points from their 10 preliminary-round matches and guarantees them a top-two finish.

More importantly, it sends Antigua and Barbuda into Qualifier 1, where a victory would put the Falcons directly into the CPL Final.

If they lose Qualifier 1, their top-two finish gives them another opportunity to reach the championship match through Qualifier 2.

With the preliminary round now complete, the Falcons head into the playoffs carrying momentum,  and having shown that even the competition’s previously unbeaten team can be taken down.