Falcons flatten Warriors to storm into first-ever CPL final
Key Points(5)
- Antigua & Barbuda Falcons produced one of the most ruthless displays in Caribbean Premier League history Thursday night, crushing the Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets at Kensington Oval to reach their first-ever CPL final.
- The Falcons needed only 32 balls to erase a target of 77 after their bowlers had ripped through the Warriors for 76 in 16 overs, completing the second-fastest successful chase in tournament history.
- It was a semifinal dismantling built around devastating leg-spin and explosive batting, with Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim taking four wickets each before Rahkeem Cornwall reduced the chase to little more than a six-hitting exhibition.
- The Falcons will contest the final Sunday against either the Warriors or Jamaica Kingsmen, who meet in Friday’s eliminator.
- Spin twins tear the Warriors apart The Falcons’ decision to field first after winning the toss quickly proved decisive.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons produced one of the most ruthless displays in Caribbean Premier League history Thursday night, crushing the Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets at Kensington Oval to reach their first-ever CPL final.
The Falcons needed only 32 balls to erase a target of 77 after their bowlers had ripped through the Warriors for 76 in 16 overs, completing the second-fastest successful chase in tournament history.
It was a semifinal dismantling built around devastating leg-spin and explosive batting, with Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim taking four wickets each before Rahkeem Cornwall reduced the chase to little more than a six-hitting exhibition.
The Falcons will contest the final Sunday against either the Warriors or Jamaica Kingsmen, who meet in Friday’s eliminator.
Spin twins tear the Warriors apart
The Falcons’ decision to field first after winning the toss quickly proved decisive.
The Warriors appeared to have made a reasonable start, reaching 34 for one during the PowerPlay, but the innings disintegrated once the Falcons’ spin attack took control.
Moqim triggered the collapse by removing Glenn Phillips and Mohammad Haris in quick succession.
Then came Khan’s extraordinary second over.
The Pakistan leg-spinner removed Shimron Hetmyer before trapping Mehidy Hasan Miraz lbw and completing a hat-trick by bowling Quentin Sampson through the gate with a beautifully flighted googly.
In the space of one over, the 2023 champions had been reduced to 45 for six.
The Falcons did not ease their grip.
Moqim returned to dismiss Khary Pierre and Shai Hope, while Khan claimed his fourth wicket to keep the Warriors in disarray.
Romario Shepherd briefly threatened to restore some respectability with two boundaries, but Shamar Springer ended the resistance, leaving Guyana all out for just 76.
Cornwall turns chase into carnage
What followed was almost as destructive.
Rahkeem Cornwall walked out with the kind of intent normally associated with a far larger target, immediately attacking Imran Tahir, Miraz and Khary Pierre.
The imposing opener dismantled the attack with an extraordinary 49 from 16 deliveries, coming within one run of Andre Russell’s CPL record for the fastest half-century.
Cornwall’s assault featured a succession of powerful and precise strokes before Tahir finally removed him with the Falcons virtually home.
Evin Lewis had deliberately allowed Cornwall to dominate the strike during the opening onslaught.
Once Cornwall departed, Lewis took over.
Lewis finishes the Job
Even cramping during the chase, Lewis showed no signs of slowing down.
He targeted Shamar Joseph for 21 runs from six deliveries, leaving the Warriors with no avenue back into the contest.
Amir Jangoo, who had earlier contributed a sharp catch behind the stumps, added a boundary of his own before Lewis struck the winning runs.
The Falcons completed the chase at 77 for one in only 5.2 overs.
The emphatic finish secured a landmark achievement for the franchise: its first appearance in a CPL final.
For the Warriors, meanwhile, there is little time to regroup. They will return to action Friday night in the eliminator against Jamaica Kingsmen, with the winner earning the right to challenge the Falcons for the championship Sunday.
