It was a far from convincing batting performance from Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in their CPL 2026 match against Barbados Tridents, but Moeen Ali‘s unbeaten half-century – the only innings of note for Falcons, or indeed in the match – proved to be the difference in a 30-run win.

The result, coming two days after Falcons themselves were routed by Guyana Amazon Warriors, took Moeen’s side back to the top of the table, but they have played the most number of matches in the competition so far – seven – and that position might not last as the other pace-setters catch up in terms of matches played.

Moeen lost the toss to Chris Green and was asked to bat first, and Falcons lost Rahkeem Cornwall of the first ball of the match, yorked by Daniel Sams.

Amir Jangoo, never the quickest of run-scorers, Karima Gore and Hasan Nawaz put on partnerships of 39 and 17 to put the innings back on track, but it was slow going – those two stands took 33 and 20 balls respectively.

Things turned only after Moeen walked out at No. 5. Jangoo fell soon after, and Shadab Khan didn’t contribute much, but Moeen found a great ally in Shamar Springer, and the two added 75 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket in just 41 balls. In a match where one team, Falcons, scored at 7.75 and the response, from Tridents, was at 6.94, that stand was worth its weight in gold.

Springer contributed 19 in 16 balls, but it was all Moeen’s last-over blitz that changed the script. When the two got together, Moeen was on a run-a-ball 12 with just one four. He didn’t set the stage alight straightaway, but left it late, for the last over, bowled by Sams. That 20-run over, with Moeen hitting six, six, six in the first three balls, took Falcons from what would have been a below-par total to what in the end became a winning one. Moeen ended with three fours and four sixes.

By the end of their powerplay, Tridents were at a shaky 45 for 2, with Alzarri Joseph having accounted for Shian Brathwaite and Zachary Carter. It wasn’t a poor start for Tridents, but they needed more. It never really came.

Rivaldo Clarke top-scored for Tridents with 27 but it took him 26 balls. Kevlon Anderson, the second-highest scorer with 22, was slightly better, scoring at a strike rate of 137.50, but there was nothing else on offer, with Sherfane Rutherford’s first-ball dismissal, caught brilliantly by substitute Anderson Phillip in the deep, that was the unkindest cut.

The bowlers shared the spoils. The Clarke-Anderson stand of 39 runs was ended by Joshua James, who ended with three wickets. Shadab and his countrymate Sufyan Moqim picked up two wickets each. And Tridents were down and out at the end of the 18th over. James was the Player of the Match for his 3 for 18.