Falcons Soar Into First CPL Final After Crushing Amazon Warriors

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons are one win away from their first Caribbean Premier League title after delivering a stunning all-round performance to demolish the Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets in Qualifier 1 at Kensington Oval.

It was a night to remember for the Falcons, who first ripped through the Warriors’ batting lineup for just 76 before making the chase look effortless.

Pakistan internationals Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim were at the heart of the bowling destruction, claiming four wickets apiece as Guyana collapsed after making a promising start.

The Warriors were 34 for one at the end of the PowerPlay, but their innings quickly unravelled. Shadab then produced the moment of the night, completing a hat-trick by dismissing Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Quentin Sampson with three consecutive deliveries.

Guyana plunged from 40 for two to 49 for nine before Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph added 27 runs to give the Warriors a brief lift.

Shadab ended with four for 16, while Moqim returned four for 13 as Guyana were bowled out for 76.

The Falcons then needed just 32 deliveries to seal their place in Sunday’s final.

Rahkeem Cornwall provided the fireworks, smashing 49 from only 16 balls. The Antiguan opener cleared the boundary six times and struck three fours before falling just one run short of his half-century.

By the time Cornwall departed, the Falcons were already on 71.

Evin Lewis, unbeaten on 23, finished the job alongside the remaining Falcons batter as Antigua and Barbuda reached 77 for one in just 5.2 overs.

The victory came with 88 balls remaining, making it the second-fastest win in CPL history.

The Falcons will now have a chance to make history in their first CPL final when they return to Kensington Oval on Sunday, September 20.

They will face either the Guyana Amazon Warriors or Jamaica Kingsmen, who meet in Qualifier 2 for the remaining place in the championship match.