Seales’ fire and Jangoo’s grit carry Falcons into CPL playoffs
Key Points(5)
- The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons clinched their spot in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs with a gritty six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday.
- The win lifted the Falcons to 11 points from 10 matches, ensuring their passage into the knockout rounds as the third team to seal qualification, after the St Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders.
- <h2>Seales’ fiery spell breaks Warriors’ backbone</h2> Opting to bowl first, the Falcons unleashed Jayden Seales, who produced a devastating new-ball spell that dismantled Guyana’s top order.
- The young pacer claimed the prized scalp of Moeen Ali in the fourth over, then turned the screws further by removing Ben McDermott and skipper Shimron Hetmyer before the powerplay expired.
- By the time Seales was done with his opening burst, the Warriors were staggering at 26 for 3.
The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons clinched their spot in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs with a gritty six-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday.
The win lifted the Falcons to 11 points from 10 matches, ensuring their passage into the knockout rounds as the third team to seal qualification, after the St Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders.
Seales’ fiery spell breaks Warriors’ backbone
Opting to bowl first, the Falcons unleashed Jayden Seales, who produced a devastating new-ball spell that dismantled Guyana’s top order.
The young pacer claimed the prized scalp of Moeen Ali in the fourth over, then turned the screws further by removing Ben McDermott and skipper Shimron Hetmyer before the powerplay expired. By the time Seales was done with his opening burst, the Warriors were staggering at 26 for 3.
Though Shai Hope briefly counterpunched with a blistering 26 from 14 balls, his charge was halted when Usama Mir bowled him in the ninth over. Mir compounded the damage with sharp fielding that led to Hassan Khan’s run-out, effectively shutting down any momentum.
The Warriors never recovered, tumbling to 99 all out in 18.2 overs, with Mir finishing with 3 for 17 and Seales returning a career-best 4 for 15.
Jangoo anchors tricky chase
Set just 100 to win, the Falcons’ reply was anything but smooth. Early wickets — Andries Gous, Kevin Wickham, Karima Gore, and Shakib Al Hasan all departed in the powerplay — gave the Warriors a glimmer of hope.
But opener Amir Jangoo remained unflappable. Crafting an unbeaten 51 from 57 balls with three fours and two sixes, he provided the stability his side desperately needed. Even as spinners Moeen Ali (2 for 10) and Imran Tahir (2 for 27) tightened the screws, Jangoo absorbed the pressure, paced the innings, and steered the Falcons across the finish line with four balls to spare.
Statement win for Falcons
For the Falcons, this was more than just a win — it was a statement of intent. Seales’ pace and precision, coupled with Jangoo composure under fire, proved decisive, sending the franchise into the playoffs with momentum and belief.
