The CPL 2026 knockout phase has produced its finalists: Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, who beat Guyana Amazon Warriors comfortably in Qualifier 1, and Jamaica Kingsmen, who survived a Qualifier 2 chase built on a lone century. The final is at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on September 20, the venue hosting all four of this year's knockout matches — the first time Barbados has staged the entire CPL knockout phase.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons made the more emphatic case for a final spot, bowling Guyana Amazon Warriors out for just 76 in Qualifier 1 on September 17. Shadab Khan took a hat-trick — removing Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Quentin Sampson — and finished with 4 for 16, while Sufyan Moqim claimed 4 for 13 at the other end. The chase barely lasted: Rahkeem Cornwall smashed an unbeaten 49 off just 16 balls as the Falcons reached 77 for 1 in 5.2 overs, a nine-wicket win.
Jamaica Kingsmen's route was far tighter. In Qualifier 2 on September 18, Guyana posted 206 for 4 behind an unbeaten 102 from Shimron Hetmyer, who backed up his Qualifier 1 dismissal with the best innings of the knockouts so far. Jamaica's chase leaned on contributions through the order — Keacy Carty made 56 and Maaz Sadaqat 41 — before Rovman Powell's unbeaten 40 off 17 balls got Jamaica home at 207 for 5 with two balls to spare, a five-wicket win that sends the tournament's debutant franchise straight into the final in its first season.
The Falcons arrive with the tournament's in-form bowling pair in Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, who dismantled Guyana's top order together, plus a top order capable of finishing a chase in under six overs when the conditions allow. Jamaica's counter is a batting lineup that has now chased down 200-plus twice in the knockouts, anchored by Powell's finishing and Hetmyer's power at the top, alongside all-rounders Andre Russell and Hassan Khan for depth on both sides of the ball.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons' bowling-led route to the final and Jamaica Kingsmen's batting-led survival act make for two very different profiles heading into the decider. The Falcons' spin duo gives them a route to restricting Jamaica's power hitters early, but Jamaica have already shown in this knockout phase that they can chase down a total most sides would consider well out of reach. A finalist making its tournament debut in the same season it reaches the final is a rare story in franchise cricket, and Jamaica will fancy their chances of finishing it with the title.
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The qualifier scorecards, individual figures and final's venue are verified against same-day match reporting, current as of September 19, 2026.
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