Matthew Forde delivered a dominant four-wicket performance and Joshua Bishop provided a crucial late-game spark to lead the Saint Lucia Kings to a three-wicket victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The rain-affected Caribbean Premier League 2026 match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium saw the Kings secure their second win of the season, moving them to the top of the points table.
Batting first, the Falcons struggled against Forde’s early pace, losing Evin Lewis for 1 and Tim Robinson for a golden duck to fall to 6 for 2. Although Rahkeem Cornwall provided a brief counter-attack with a 17-ball 26, featuring two fours and two sixes, Forde dismissed him to keep the pressure on. Roston Chase was equally effective, conceding only 7 runs across his four overs while claiming two wickets, as the Falcons faltered to 47 for 6 by the eighth over.
Amir Jangoo, who scored 23 off 22, and Alzarri Joseph, who finished unbeaten on 16, helped the Falcons reach 98 for 9 in 19 overs. Forde concluded with impressive figures of 4 for 29, while Joshua Bishop chipped in with 2 for 16. Rain interruptions repeatedly hampered the proceedings, eventually forcing the Kings to chase a revised target of 52 runs in eight overs.
The Kings’ pursuit began disastrously as they collapsed to 21 for 6. Key contributors like Roston Chase, Andries Gous, Ackeem Auguste, Jewel Andrew, Charith Asalanka, and Darron Nedd all fell in rapid succession. Shamar Springer proved to be the most dangerous bowler for the Falcons, finishing with 3 for 13, while Joshua James added two wickets to his tally.
Despite the precarious position, Forde provided a brief glimmer of hope with an 11-ball 11 before falling to Springer. With the match reaching a tense conclusion, Shadley van Schalkwyk struck an unbeaten 8 off three balls, including a six. Needing eight runs in the final over, Bishop sealed the win by drilling a Joshua James full toss for four and subsequently slashing a delivery over deep backward point for a six. The Kings reached 54 for 7 in 7.4 overs to secure the win via the DLS method.
Brief scores: Antigua & Barbuda Falcons 98/9 in 19 overs (Rahkeem Cornwall 26; Matthew Forde 4-29, Roston Chase 2-7) lost to Saint Lucia Kings 54/7 in 7.4 overs (Joshua Bishop 12*; Shamar Springer 3-13) by 3 wickets [DLS Method].
Forde then accounted for Rahkeem Cornwall, who had briefly threatened with a 17-ball 26 slamming two fours and two sixes along the way.
Bishop also picked up two wickets for 16.
The initial revised target was 84 from 15 overs before another interruption brought it down to 52 from eight overs.
Tajinder Dhillon and Amir Jangoo attempted to rebuild, but the Falcons never found the momentum required to put up a sizeable total.
Rain then intervened and reduced the Kings’ chase to a complicated affair.
Even with the target reduced, the Kings made hard work of the chase.
Forde briefly provided impetus with an 11-ball 11, including a six, but his dismissal to Shamar Springer left the Kings seven down with the finish still uncertain.
