Sufiyan Muqeem Leads Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to First CPL Title
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons secured their first Caribbean Premier League (CPL) championship after defeating Jamaica Kingsmen by six wickets in the final at Kensington Oval on Sunday.
The Falcons, playing in only their third CPL season, successfully chased a target of 171 with 20 balls remaining. Earlier, their bowlers restricted Jamaica Kingsmen to 170-9.
Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem played a key role in the Falcons’ victory, delivering an impressive spell of 4-14. Alzarri Joseph took two wickets, while Jayden Seales, Shadab Khan and Shamar Springer claimed one wicket each.
Jamaica Kingsmen depended heavily on opener Maaz Sadaqat, who produced an outstanding innings of 114 from 58 balls. His knock included eight fours and nine sixes, but he was dismissed during the final over.
Saim Ayub was Jamaica’s second-highest scorer with 29 runs, while the remaining batters struggled to build substantial partnerships.
The Falcons began their chase aggressively, with Rahkeem Cornwall scoring 20 runs from Ayub’s opening over through two fours and two sixes. However, Ayub responded by dismissing Cornwall with the final delivery of the over.
Evin Lewis then added 38 from 26 balls to keep the chase on track. The decisive partnership came between Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz, who remained unbeaten and added 89 runs together.
Jangoo finished with an unbeaten 57 from 34 deliveries, hitting four fours and three sixes. Nawaz supported him with 47 not out from 35 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
Their partnership guided Antigua and Barbuda Falcons comfortably past the target and gave the franchise its first CPL title.
