The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons powered into their first Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League final after demolishing the Guyana Amazon Warriors by nine wickets at Kensington Oval.
Shadab Khan claimed a hat-trick and joined Sufyan Moqim in taking four wickets as the Warriors were dismissed for only 76. Rahkeem Cornwall then blasted 49 from 16 balls to help the Falcons complete the second-fastest victory in CPL history, reaching their target after just 32 deliveries.
After choosing to bowl first, the Falcons allowed the Warriors to make a cautious but steady start. Guyana reached 34 for one at the end of the PowerPlay, appearing well placed to build a competitive total on a surface that has generally improved for batting as matches progress.
However, the innings collapsed quickly once the fielding restrictions ended.
Moqim started the slide by removing Glenn Phillips and Mohammad Haris. Phillips failed to clear deep mid-wicket, while Haris walked after edging a delivery through to wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo.
Shadab then tore through the middle order with three consecutive googlies. Shimron Hetmyer was caught at long-on before Mehidy Hasan Miraz was trapped leg-before. Miraz reviewed the decision, but replays confirmed the umpire’s call.
Quentin Sampson became Shadab’s hat-trick victim when a beautifully flighted googly went through the gate and crashed into the stumps. The dramatic sequence left the Warriors in deep trouble at 45 for six.
Moqim continued the destruction in the following over, bowling Khary Pierre before having Shai Hope adjudged leg-before. Shadab then claimed his fourth wicket when Imran Tahir was dismissed for one.
Romario Shepherd briefly resisted with two boundaries, but Shamar Springer eventually completed the innings as the Warriors were bowled out for 76.
Tahir attempted to attack immediately by opening the bowling himself, but Cornwall responded with a brutal display of power hitting. The big right-hander punished Tahir, Miraz and Pierre during the fielding restrictions and raced towards what could have been one of the fastest half-centuries in CPL history.
Cornwall came close to Andre Russell’s record for the fastest CPL fifty but was dismissed one run short of the landmark, caught by Hetmyer off Tahir. By then, the Falcons needed only another 27 runs.
Evin Lewis took charge of the chase despite struggling with cramp, smashing Shamar Joseph for 21 runs from six deliveries. Jangoo faced only four balls and struck one boundary before Lewis completed the victory.
The Falcons will now prepare for Sunday’s championship match, while the Warriors have another opportunity to reach the final. Guyana will face the Jamaica Kingsmen in the final eliminator, with the winner advancing to challenge the Falcons for the CPL title.
Summarised scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 76 all out (Romario Shepherd hit two fours; Shadab Khan 4 wickets, including a hat-trick; Sufyan Moqim 4 wickets) lost to Antigua and Barbuda Falcons 77 for 1 in 5.2 overs (Rahkeem Cornwall 49 from 16 balls; Evin Lewis not out; Imran Tahir 1 wicket) by nine wickets.
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