Forde holds nerve as Saint Lucia Kings edge Falcons in thriller

Matthew Forde's four-wicket burst and crucial late boundaries from Joshua Bishop helped Saint Lucia Kings edge past Antigua and Barbuda Falcons by three wickets in a rain-affected CPL 2026 encounter at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. The Kings won their second game of the season as a result, elevating them to the top of the points table.

Put in to bat, the Falcons were rocked early by Forde, who struck twice in the second over. Evin Lewis fell for 1 before Tim Robinson departed first ball, leaving Antigua and Barbuda at 6 for 2. Forde then accounted for Rahkeem Cornwall, who had briefly threatened with a 17-ball 26 slamming two fours and two sixes along the way.

Tajinder Dhillon and Amir Jangoo attempted to rebuild, but the Falcons never found the momentum required to put up a sizeable total. Joshua Bishop removed Dhillon, while Roston Chase chipped in with two wickets as Antigua and Barbuda slipped to 47 for 6 in the eighth over.

The Falcons had something to work with thanks to Jangoo's 23 off 22 and Alzarri Joseph's unbeaten 16; however, they were ultimately limited to 98 for 9 in 19 overs. Forde finished with 4 for 29, while Chase returned excellent figures of 2 for 7 from his four overs. Additionally, Bishop took two wickets for 16 runs.

Rain then intervened and reduced the Kings' chase to a complicated affair. The initial revised target was 84 from 15 overs before another interruption brought it down to 52 from eight overs.

Even with the target reduced, the Kings made hard work of the chase. Roston Chase was dismissed for 1, Andries Gous made 7 and Ackeem Auguste and Jewel Andrew departed cheaply. Darron Nedd and Charith Asalanka both fell quickly, leaving Saint Lucia with a 21-6 record.

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. Springer was the Falcons' most successful bowler, taking 3 for 13 from his two overs, while Joshua James claimed two wickets.

With the required runs within touching distance, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Bishop kept their composure. Van Schalkwyk struck an unbeaten 8 off just three balls, including a six. There was still eight to get in the final over and the decisive moment came when Bishop drilled a Joshua James full toss past mid-off for four. Bishop received width from Joshua James and slashed the ball over deep backward point for six after two dot balls and a review that showed no bat. The Kings finished on 54 for 7 after 7.4 overs to complete a three-wicket win under the DLS method.