CPL thrills T20 fans again

The Caribbean Premier League is under way with cricket fans around the region enjoying spectacular T20 matches. 

The tournament runs across the Caribbean with West Indies’ players dominating rotas. It was launched in 2013 as the region’s first commercial T20 league.

Jamaica Tallawahs beat Guyana Amazon Warriors to win the inaugural tournament and Saint Lucia Kings are the current champions, champions for the first time last year.

There are six teams involved in the 30 league matches running until September 14. Then comes a series of knockout games before the final on September 22. Group-stage matches are played at: Warner Park in St Kitts, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, Kensington Oval in Barbados and Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Nicholas Pooran succeeded Kieron Pollard as Trinbago Knight Riders’ captain, taking over the role Pollard had held since 2019 – a tenure that included leading TKR to the 2020 CPL title. Pooran, 29, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, most recently captained MI New York to victory in Major League Cricket 2025.

The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons are captained by former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim who was playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred before flying into the Caribbean to lead his side.

St Lucia Kings are led by David Wiese who has replaced last year’s title-winning captain, Faf du Plessis, who initially chose to play in The Hundred but later withdrew from the competition due to groin surgery.

The Barbados Royals’ captain is Rovman Powell who has transformed his team’s fortunes, lifting them to a playoff spot last season. Though removed as West Indies’ T20I captain earlier this year, he has retained his franchise leadership role.

Jason Holder’s appointment as the new captain of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots follows the end of his 13-year association with the Barbados Royals. During his previous CPL tenure, which began in the inaugural 2013 season, Holder was part of two title-winning campaigns (2014 and 2019).

At 46, Imran Tahir continues to defy age. After leading the Guyana Amazon Warriors to their maiden CPL title in 2023, he followed it up with a runners-up finish in 2024.

The Royals play the Patriots on Friday and the Falcons take on the Warriors on Saturday. There are two matches on Sunday.