Antigua & Barbuda Falcons beat Trinbago Knight Riders by 5 wickets (with 9 balls remaining) – Caribbean Premier League Match Report
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons won by 5 wickets (with 9 balls remaining) in the 14th match of 39 in the Caribbean Premier League 2026 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Shadab Khan produced a devastating all-round masterclass – 52 off just 20 balls with the bat and 1/8 with the ball – to steer the home side to a commanding chase of 166. The win lifts Antigua & Barbuda to 4th (2W 2L, 4pts) while Trinbago Knight Riders slip to 6th (1W 1L, 2pts) after a costly defeat.
Trinbago Post 165 All Out
Antigua & Barbuda won the toss and elected to bowl first. Colin Munro set the tone for Trinbago with a brisk 46 off 33 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes), striking at 139 before being clean bowled at 96/1 in the 10th over. Nicholas Pooran exploded in the middle overs, smashing 43 off just 17 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 253, but fell caught at 84/3 in the 7th over as Antigua & Barbuda’s bowling tightened.
Kieron Pollard managed just 9 off 16 at 131/5 in the 16th over, and the lower order could not provide the late acceleration needed. Sunil Narine (19 off 15, 2 fours, 1 six) and Terrance Hinds (14 off 10, 1 four, 1 six) added useful runs in the final overs, but Trinbago finished on 165/6 – a total that would prove insufficient.
Rahkeem Cornwall was the standout bowler for Antigua & Barbuda, claiming 2/17 from 2 overs at an economy of 8.5. Joshua James took 2/23 from 4 overs, while Shadab Khan was miserly with 1/8 from 4 overs (1 maiden) at an economy of just 2.
Falcons Chase Down with Ease
Rahkeem Cornwall provided a lightning start for the home side, smashing 14 off just 6 balls (2 fours, 1 six) at a strike rate of 233 before being run out at 14/1 in the opening over. Amir Jangoo steadied the innings with 31 off 36 (1 four, 1 six), building a crucial 66-run stand with Evin Lewis (10 off 14, 1 six) before Lewis fell caught at 41/3 in the 6th over.
The match turned decisively when Shadab Khan arrived at the crease. With Antigua & Barbuda needing 92 off the final 7 overs, Khan took the attack to Trinbago’s bowling with devastating effect. He smashed 52 off just 20 balls (2 fours, 5 sixes) at a strike rate of 260, including a brutal assault on the death bowling that left Trinbago’s attack in tatters. Kusal Perera (34 off 24, 3 fours, 1 six) provided able support, and Moeen Ali (11 off 5, 1 four, 1 six) added the final flourish as Antigua & Barbuda reached 168/5 in 18.3 overs with 9 balls to spare.
Terrance Hinds took 2/36 from 2.3 overs for Trinbago, while Usman Tariq and Kieron Pollard each claimed 1 wicket. But the damage was done – Shadab’s explosive batting had already decided the contest.
Statz MVP: Shadab Khan (Statz Rating: 156.72)
Shadab Khan earns the Statz MVP award with a mi_rating of 156.72. His 52 off 20 with the bat – struck at 260 with 5 sixes – proved the decisive blow in the chase, while his economical 1/8 from 4 overs with the ball set the tone for Antigua & Barbuda’s bowling performance. Khan’s combined impact across both disciplines was as dominant as they come in a T20 contest.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Shadab Khan (ABF) – Statz Rating: 156.72 | 52 off 20 (SR 260, 5 sixes) plus 1/8 with the ball. Explosive all-round display that decided the match.
- Nicholas Pooran (TKR) – Statz Rating: 75.58 | 43 off 17 (SR 253, 6 fours, 2 sixes). Brilliant counter-attack in a losing effort.
- Joshua James (ABF) – Statz Rating: 63.86 | 2/23 from 4 overs at economy 5.75. Tight bowling in the powerplay and death.
- Rahkeem Cornwall (ABF) – Statz Rating: 63.84 | 14 off 6 (SR 233) plus 2/17 from 2 overs. Impactful with bat and ball.
- Colin Munro (TKR) – Statz Rating: 52.76 | 46 off 33 (SR 139, 4 sixes). Solid foundation for Trinbago’s innings.
Turning Point
The match pivoted when Shadab Khan walked to the crease with Antigua & Barbuda needing 92 off 42 balls. His explosive 52 off 20 – featuring 5 towering sixes – transformed the chase from competitive to one-sided. Trinbago’s bowlers had no answer to his strike rate of 260, and the match was effectively settled by the 18th over.
Match Context
This was the 14th match of 39 in the Caribbean Premier League 2026 group stage. Antigua & Barbuda Falcons (4th, 2W 2L, 4pts) pick up a crucial home win to stay in contention for the playoffs. Trinbago Knight Riders (6th, 1W 1L, 2pts) will rue a below-par bowling performance in the death overs. Check the Statz Bet Builder for detailed match analysis and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium page for venue insights.
