Sports Desk:

In the 26th game of the Caribbean Premier League 2025, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons sealed their playoff spot with a tense four-wicket win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a virtual knockout clash.

Both sides entered the game with everything to play for; the Falcons on 9 points and the Warriors on 8. Victory meant a guaranteed place in the top four, while defeat meant elimination.

Jayden Seales and Imad Wasim set the tone early with tight spells. Seales, celebrating his birthday, was unplayable as he dismissed Moeen Ali, Ben McDermott, and Shimron Hetmyer. Usama Mir then joined the party, removing Shai Hope, Hassan Khan, and Dwayne Pretorius in quick succession. Shakib Al Hasan bowled steadily for figures of 4-0-28-1, while Seales ended with an outstanding 4-15. Mir’s 4-0-17-3 helped bowl out the Warriors for just 99.

The chase wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Falcons. Moeen Ali and Imran Tahir grabbed two wickets apiece, and Shakib fell cheaply for just one run. Guyana managed to take six wickets, but opener Amir Jangoo stood firm. His composed 51* off 57 balls guided the Falcons home in 19.1 overs at 103/6. With the win, the Falcons secured their top-four finish.