Skipper praises Falcons after maiden CPL title

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons captain Moeen Ali has hailed his team’s maiden Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title, crediting their unity and perseverance after they defeated the Jamaica Kingsmen by eight-wickets at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

The Falcons, roared on by a huge crowd, completed a memorable campaign with a commanding 173 for two in 17 overs, after restricting the Kingsmen to 170 for nine.

“It’s been a tough journey, but a great journey. The time’s gone by quickly for us because we enjoyed each other’s company and you can see on the field the way we played. I thought tonight was an outstanding performance again,” Ali said.

“I am really, really pleased with the way we performed throughout the competition.”

Jamaica Kingsmen skipper Rovman Powell also said he was extremely proud of his team despite the result.  After a slow start to the competition, the Kingsmen evolved into one of the tournament’s most cohesive and well-balanced sides.

“It’s a good feeling, to be honest. I think it was a very hard-fought campaign for us so I’m so proud of the boys.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Kingsmen’s batters all struggled with the exception of opener Maaz Sadaqat, who anchored the innings with a superb 114 off 58 balls.

Powell still believed the wicket was a good one.

“It’s disappointing that as a batting group we didn’t really capitalise on a good start and as a bowling group, we didn’t control the power play as well as we wanted to.”

Long before the scheduled start of the game, thousands of fans were already packed into Kensington Oval, with parking restrictions on the outskirts of the venue adding to the heavy vehicular traffic.

While many fans were adorned in the team jerseys of the two finalists, they were both far outnumbered by supporters of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who turned out in huge numbers for the final. There was also a sizable contingent of fans from Trinidad and Tobago also repping their team, despite the early elimination of the Trinibago Knight Riders from the competition.

On the field of play, chasing 171 to win, the Falcons clinched the victory at 173 for two, during the 17th over.

Amir Jangoo top-scored with 57 not out from 34 balls. The innings featured four fours and a six, while Hasan Nawaz added an unbeaten 47 from 35 balls.

Earlier, the Kingsmen posted a challenging 170 for nine after being sent into bat, with opener Sadaqat stroking a superb century.

Saim Ayub was the only other Kingsmen batter to reach double figures, scoring 29 off 22 balls at number four.

For the Falcons, Player-of-the-Match Sufyan Moqim was the pick of the bowlers with figures of four for 14, while Alzarri Joseph claimed two for 27.

(KH)