Saint Lucia Kings, the defending champions, started CPL 2026 with a thrilling four-run win over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. They made 187/8 with Andries Gous scoring 82 from 51 balls to earn Player of the Match, and Ackeem Auguste adding 18. Maheesh Theekshana and Roston Chase took two wickets each, with Chase crucial in the closing overs.
Recent form supports the Kings: Tim Seifert has 349 runs in his last nine T20 matches, Auguste has 227 in his last ten, Chase has taken ten wickets in his last eight, and Theekshana had two on his first appearance of the season.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are still looking for a first win after losing to Trinbago Knight Riders by 19 runs via DLS. They managed only 109/9, with Kevin Wickham top-scoring on 38 from 44 and Johnson Charles making 21. Captain Jason Holder took 1/13 from three overs and Waqar Salamkheil 1/18.
Andre Fletcher has 297 runs in his last ten T20s, and Holder has scored 252 at a strike rate of 169.12 with 13 wickets in the same stretch. Salamkheil has 12 wickets. The Patriots need a much better batting performance to challenge a well-balanced Kings side.