An unbeaten half-century from Moeen Ali and three wickets from Joshua James propelled the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a 30-run victory over the Barbados Tridents in their 2026 Caribbean Premier League encounter.
The Falcons’ batting performance was far from convincing, but Moeen’s innings – the only half-century of the match – proved decisive. The result, two days after the Falcons were routed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors, returned Moeen’s side to the top of the table, although they have played more matches than any other team in the competition.
After losing the toss to Chris Green and being asked to bat, the Falcons lost Rahkeem Cornwall to the first ball of the match when Daniel Sams bowled him with a yorker.
Amir Jangoo then shared partnerships of 39 and 17 with Karima Gore and Hasan Nawaz respectively to steady the innings, but progress was slow. The two stands occupied 33 and 20 balls.
The tempo changed after Moeen arrived at No. 5. Jangoo departed soon afterwards and Shadab Khan made little impact, but Moeen found support from Shamar Springer as the pair added an unbeaten 75 for the sixth wicket from just 41 balls.
Springer contributed 19 from 16 deliveries, while Moeen transformed the innings with a late assault. He was on 12 from 12 balls, with one four, when Sams began the final over. Moeen struck the first three deliveries for six in a 20-run over, lifting the Falcons from a potentially below-par total to a winning one. He finished with three fours and four sixes.
The Tridents reached 45 for two at the end of the powerplay after Alzarri Joseph removed Shian Brathwaite and Zachary Carter. Although the start was not disastrous, the acceleration they needed never came.
Rivaldo Clarke top-scored with 27 from 26 balls, while Kevlon Anderson made 22 at a strike rate of 137.50. No other batter offered meaningful resistance, and Sherfane Rutherford was dismissed first ball when substitute fielder Anderson Phillip took a superb catch in the deep.
James broke the 39-run partnership between Clarke and Anderson and finished with three for 18. Shadab and fellow Pakistani Sufyan Moqim claimed two wickets each as the Tridents were bowled out at the end of the 18th over. James was named Player of the Match. Source: ESPNcricinfo
Moeen, James inspire Falcons to 30-run win over Tridents
