Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Match Prediction: CPL 2026 Qualifier 1

The Caribbean Premier League 2026 reaches its business end as table-toppers Guyana Amazon Warriors face off against the surging Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in Qualifier 1. The Warriors secured their top spot with a dominant league stage performance, though they will be wary of a Falcons side that recently dismantled them by 65 runs.

With a spot in the final on the line at the Kensington Oval, Guyana must navigate the loss of key opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while the Falcons look to maintain their three-match winning streak on a surface that is increasingly favoring spin bowling.

Match Details

Team News & Probable XIs

Guyana Amazon Warriors

The Warriors are without the services of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has departed for national duty with Afghanistan. This leaves a vacancy at the top of the order, likely to be filled by Glenn Phillips alongside Mavendra Dindyal. Their bowling remains their greatest strength, led by the veteran leg-spin of Imran Tahir and the versatile Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Probable XI: Glenn Phillips, Mavendra Dindyal, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Veerasammy Permaul, Imran Tahir.

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons

The Falcons enter the knockouts with significant momentum. Their settled core features Alzarri Joseph leading the pace attack and a deep middle order bolstered by Moeen Ali and Shadab Khan. They are expected to field the same XI that secured their recent string of victories.

Probable XI: Evin Lewis, Amir Jangoo (wk), Karima Gore, Hasan Nawaz, Moeen Ali, Shadab Khan, Fabian Allen, Joshua James, Sufyan Moqim, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph.

Recent Form

Guyana Amazon Warriors: L, W, W, L, W

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: W, W, W

Guyana finished the league stage with 8 wins from 10 matches, showcasing the most consistent form in the tournament. However, the Falcons have found their rhythm at the right time, including a comprehensive 65-run victory over the Warriors on September 8. The season head-to-head is currently tied at 1-1.

Pitch & Conditions

The Kensington Oval pitch has undergone a transformation as the tournament has progressed. Once known for its pace and bounce, the surface has slowed significantly, making it a typical Caribbean track. Batting is expected to be difficult during the powerplay and middle overs as the ball holds in the surface. A par score is estimated between 145 and 160. Spinners such as Imran Tahir and Shadab Khan are likely to play decisive roles.

Key Players & Match-ups

• Shimron Hetmyer vs Alzarri Joseph: Hetmyer has been the Warriors’ standout batter with 263 runs at a strike rate of 191.97. His battle against Joseph, the Falcons’ leading wicket-taker (14 wickets), will be critical.
• The Spin Factor: With the pitch slowing down, the duel between GAW’s Imran Tahir and ABF’s Shadab Khan in the middle overs could determine the game’s tempo.
• Moeen Ali: As a high-utility all-rounder, Moeen’s ability to navigate spin and provide off-break options makes him a central figure for the Falcons in these conditions.

Suggested Fantasy XI

• Wicketkeepers: Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo
• Batters: Shimron Hetmyer (C), Evin Lewis
• All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Shadab Khan (VC), Romario Shepherd, Mehidy Hasan Miraz
• Bowlers: Alzarri Joseph, Imran Tahir, Jayden Seales

Match Prediction: Who Will Win?

CricXtra predicts that the Guyana Amazon Warriors have a slight edge in this Qualifier. While the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons hold psychological momentum from their recent head-to-head win, the Warriors’ superior consistency across the league stage and a spin attack featuring Tahir and Mehidy Hasan Miraz is perfectly tailored for a slowing Kensington Oval pitch. However, the result will likely depend on how well Guyana’s revamped opening pair handles the early pace of Alzarri Joseph. Fans should monitor the toss as conditions may further favor spin as the game progresses.