2
1wd
1
3
1
wd
1
2
= 13
Match Details
ABF vs JKM, Final T20, CPL 2026 summary
ABF
173-2(16.4)
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons won by 8 wickets 🏆
JKM
(20.0)170-9
+
P'ship : 89(54)
12:26
Maaz Sadaqat's century goes in vain as Falcons crush Kingsmen in CPL FInal | Full Highlights…
Commentary
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Highlights
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Inn 2
Milestone
So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentators, Ajay and Manan as wrap up the coverage of this fixture. A note of thanks for our scorer, Sachin Yadav as well.
The action doesn't stop here. We have plenty more cricket coming your way soon. India will play a one-off T20I against Japan, while England and Sri Lanka will face off in an ODI series. The Women's Asian Games are also underway. We will bring you all the live updates from these games and plenty more.
What a season of CPL it was. The CPL termed the 'Greatest Party in Sport' and it definitely lived up to its billing both on and off the field. We saw some great performances from both overseas and the West Indian players which produced thrilling contests as well. In the end, one team had to win and it turned out to be Antigua & Barbuda Falcons who lifted the title in their first-ever CPL Final. Jamaica Kingsmen can be proud of their effort too as they have finished runners-up with the country of Jamaica coming back to the CPL after a couple of years.
Moeen Ali (Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Captain): "[First title for the Falcons, how special is it for you and for the 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.
[On the tactical changes] Yeah, we didn't want the way he 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. But yeah, that partnership really works for us to have pace up top. It makes it uncomfortable for the batters and we just felt like we just wanted a chase.
[On the record-breaking chase] I think 170 in a final is normally a very good score, but obviously the dew was going to come in. To get 20 runs off your first five balls with the way Big Rahkeem plays was outstanding, and it just sets the tone. Evin played brilliantly too; well, not everyone really played a big knock, but Jangoo, I really want to mention Jangoo's innings because a lot of people have been talking about his strike rate, etc. But he always turns up and gets 20 or 30 runs every time. 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 with brilliant fight in him, and I'm really pleased for him.
[On the coaching staff's contribution] Massive. Behind the scenes, Nico was outstanding, Amby, all of them - from the physios to every single person, Willow, Nico, all the guys that made my life easy for me because there was a lot of issues going on initially. But we sorted them out, and they were massive. Our analysis guy was outstanding.
[His message to 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."
[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.
[On the tactical changes] Yeah, we didn't want the way he 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. But yeah, that partnership really works for us to have pace up top. It makes it uncomfortable for the batters and we just felt like we just wanted a chase.
[On the record-breaking chase] I think 170 in a final is normally a very good score, but obviously the dew was going to come in. To get 20 runs off your first five balls with the way Big Rahkeem plays was outstanding, and it just sets the tone. Evin played brilliantly too; well, not everyone really played a big knock, but Jangoo, I really want to mention Jangoo's innings because a lot of people have been talking about his strike rate, etc. But he always turns up and gets 20 or 30 runs every time. 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 with brilliant fight in him, and I'm really pleased for him.
[On the coaching staff's contribution] Massive. Behind the scenes, Nico was outstanding, Amby, all of them - from the physios to every single person, Willow, Nico, all the guys that made my life easy for me because there was a lot of issues going on initially. But we sorted them out, and they were massive. Our analysis guy was outstanding.
[His message to 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."
Rovman Powell (Jamaica Kingsmen Captain): "[Thoughts at the moment] It is a good feeling to be honest, it is a hard-fought campaign us. I am proud of the boys. I think at the half-way stage, we felt 10-15 runs short to be honest. We know that it is a pretty good batting wicket. Credit has to be given to our batters in the first 10 overs. Maaz was fantastic for us. The partnership he strung with Saim Ayub took us to 100/2 in 10. It is disappointing that as a batting group on such a good batting track, we didn't capitalize on the start.
[Where did the game slip away?] I think as a batting group, we lost four wickets during the middle-overs. Four of our main key batters who are supposed to put the impetus on the game in the last 10 overs. As a bowling group, we didn't control the Powerplay as we wanted to.
[How was this journey for you?] I honestly felt that it is a proud journey for us. We accomplished a lot of things. We set out to be in the finals and once we got to the finals, we see if we can progress to the final. It is a slow start to the tournament, we lost the first two games. We built a little bit of momentum with our home crowd in Jamaica and from there, the guys started to believe that we can play cricket. We went to Trinidad, it is a difficult place to play cricket. We played a good game down there, the confidence kept on building within the team. We know once we squeeze into the last four of the competition, how dangerous our team can be. Guys kept chipping in, credit has to be given to them. They listened to the leadership that myself and the head coach provided them. I am proud of the boys. It is obviously a proud moment for them.
[What would your message be to the Falcons?] It is a proud moment for all the people in Antigua. If you look at the home leg they had, it was fantastic. People came out and supported them and that goes a far away for the young cricketing public in Antigua. To see their stars, Alzarri Joseph and Rakheem Cornwall do it on the big stage. So, hopefully the kids back in Antigua can take motivation. Once you take motivation, they keep pushing in the right direction and hopefully it is a growth for the sport in Antigua."
[Where did the game slip away?] I think as a batting group, we lost four wickets during the middle-overs. Four of our main key batters who are supposed to put the impetus on the game in the last 10 overs. As a bowling group, we didn't control the Powerplay as we wanted to.
[How was this journey for you?] I honestly felt that it is a proud journey for us. We accomplished a lot of things. We set out to be in the finals and once we got to the finals, we see if we can progress to the final. It is a slow start to the tournament, we lost the first two games. We built a little bit of momentum with our home crowd in Jamaica and from there, the guys started to believe that we can play cricket. We went to Trinidad, it is a difficult place to play cricket. We played a good game down there, the confidence kept on building within the team. We know once we squeeze into the last four of the competition, how dangerous our team can be. Guys kept chipping in, credit has to be given to them. They listened to the leadership that myself and the head coach provided them. I am proud of the boys. It is obviously a proud moment for them.
[What would your message be to the Falcons?] It is a proud moment for all the people in Antigua. If you look at the home leg they had, it was fantastic. People came out and supported them and that goes a far away for the young cricketing public in Antigua. To see their stars, Alzarri Joseph and Rakheem Cornwall do it on the big stage. So, hopefully the kids back in Antigua can take motivation. Once you take motivation, they keep pushing in the right direction and hopefully it is a growth for the sport in Antigua."
Rovman Powell and his team will now get their runners-up medals!
The match officials will now receive their medals!
Shadab Khan (POTT): "[Which aspect of his game has pleased him the most?] Obviously, when you are playing as an all-rounder, you want to give it your all, be it with the bat or the ball. I think, especially, bowling was good. Whenever I bowled, in the middle overs you needed to contain runs and pick wickets. I was struggling for the last couple of years, so I needed this type of performance and hopefully from here, I can get a lot of confidence.
[One thing that made his batting click?] I think I was mentally free. The role team gave me, I knew I had to fulfill that role. When you are mentally free, even if you get failure, you accept that. I think the mindset was there.
[On his hat-trick] Very happy. That type of milestone, you need it in your career. I got it in a playoff game, on a bigger occasion. As a bowler, when you do this kind of stuff, most of the time, your team will win. When you contribute for the team, you are happy.
[What he wish this season would do for him?] I think, it is going well so far and I want to continue that. Last year, I had a surgery after which I was out for 6 to 8 months. I want to dedicate my Player of the Tournament award to my family. I know they were struggling a lot with me. Young child, going through my first surgery, my parents go through a lot. Most importantly, I am not in the news for good reasons all the time or on social media and they get upset. They need this happiness so that's why I want to dedicate it to them."
[One thing that made his batting click?] I think I was mentally free. The role team gave me, I knew I had to fulfill that role. When you are mentally free, even if you get failure, you accept that. I think the mindset was there.
[On his hat-trick] Very happy. That type of milestone, you need it in your career. I got it in a playoff game, on a bigger occasion. As a bowler, when you do this kind of stuff, most of the time, your team will win. When you contribute for the team, you are happy.
[What he wish this season would do for him?] I think, it is going well so far and I want to continue that. Last year, I had a surgery after which I was out for 6 to 8 months. I want to dedicate my Player of the Tournament award to my family. I know they were struggling a lot with me. Young child, going through my first surgery, my parents go through a lot. Most importantly, I am not in the news for good reasons all the time or on social media and they get upset. They need this happiness so that's why I want to dedicate it to them."
Player of the Tournament: Shadab Khan
Highest Individual Score in the Season: Dasun Shanaka (121)
Commentary