Antigua & Barbuda Falcons bottled a run chase of 188 despite dominating in the first half with Evin Lewis and Rahkeem Cornwall going all guns blazing. Saint Lucia Kings skipper Roston Chase and Maheesh Theekshana’s economical spell staged their comeback, leading them to a four-run win, their first of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026.
Top order makes run chase look easy
At Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, Cornwall got off the mark with a six in the run chase. He hit Matthew Forde for a four and two sixes in the third over. Theekshana ended his stay at the crease in the fourth over. After the big man's 13-ball 27 cameo, Lewis went berserk, hitting Joshua Bishop for two sixes. After powerplay overs, Falcons were 65/1. Theekshana got another breakthrough, getting the wicket of Kiwi batter Tim Robinson who contributed with a 20-ball 30. But, Lewis continued to strike big, hitting McKenny Clarke for two sixes. In the 11th over, Lewis missed out on a half-century, becoming Bishop's only wicket of the evening. When the opener departed, Falcons were 116/3 from 10.3 overs.
Chase derails run chase, Hamilton’s bad night out
Falcons needed 72 runs from 57 balls with seven wickets in hand. Then, Chase got into the act, dismissing Karima Gore out caught and bowled. Jahmar Hamilton struggled to rotate strike and faced too many dot deliveries. Meanwhile, pressure got to Tajinder Dhillon who got caught at wide long-on for a run-a-ball 21. Fabian Allen infused life into the run chase while Hamilton's struggle continued. Allen's catch was dropped in the penultimate over. In the final over 13 runs were needed. Only three runs were scored off first four deliveries and Hamilton was run out for a 20-ball 10. As Shamar Springer arrived at the crease, Forde needed 10 runs to defend. He bowled a wide, conceded a four and then got Springer caught at short fine leg. Allen remained stranded on 17-ball 28 as Falcons managed to post 183/7, losing the match by four runs.
Gous plays the anchor role
Earlier, Chase won the toss and opted to bat first. Andries Gous and Kamil Pooran looked to attack in powerplay overs. Pooran got out to Allen for a six-ball 14 in the third over. In the fifth over, Gous hit Allen for a four and two sixes. Saint Lucia Kings were 53/1 after powerplay overs as Ackeem Auguste couldn't get going. Auguste got bowled by Cornwall in the eighth over in an attempt to sweep. He became the off-spinner's 50th CPL wicket. Jewel Andrew couldn't make an impact and was dismissed by Usama Amir. Gous completed his fifty from 31 balls in the 12th over. In the same over, Alzarri Joseph got the wicket of Chase.
Kings finish well
Darron Nedd hit a six and a four before falling to Alzarri in the 16th over. In the next over, Gous hit Jayden Seales for a couple of sixes. After the rain interruption, Gous hit Springer for a six. He got out next ball as Lewis took a blinder. The opener hit six sixes and as many fours in his 51-ball 82. Then, Bishop got bowled for a three-ball duck. In the penultimate over, Alzarri was smashed for three sixes, two off Clarke's bat and one by Forde. He managed to get Forde's wicket in the expensive over. In the final over, 13 runs came, including a six off Shadley van Schalkwyk's bat. Kings posted 187/8.