CaribbeanCricket.com

CPL to observe a minute's applause in honour of Sir Garfield Sobers

2026-08-06T21:49:20Z

League seeking other ways to recognise deceased Windies legend

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will pay tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder the game has ever produced, with a minute's applause ahead of the first match at each tournament location this season.

The gesture will be observed once in every host territory as CPL travels across the Caribbean, ensuring fans in each country the tournament visits have the opportunity to honour Sir Garfield's life and legacy. For many supporters, this will be the first chance to publicly show how much Sir Garfield's contribution to Caribbean cricket meant to them, coming together as one to applaud a man who shaped the game they love.

CPL will continue to find further ways to honour Sir Garfield's contribution to West Indies and world cricket throughout the season, including at the tournament final, which returns to his home ground of Kensington Oval, Barbados, in 2026.

Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Viv says Sammy ‘pushed it’ with his ‘declined selection’ comment

2026-08-06T14:32:50Z

Richards: That’s pushing it in my opinion. It’s pushing it in a very big way.

Former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards believes head coach Daren Sammy crossed the line with his recent comments regarding the reason for Alzarri Joseph’s absence from the just-concluded Pakistan Tests.

Sammy told reporters on the eve of the first contest that Joseph “declined selection,” in conflict with Cricket West Indies’ earlier release, which stated that the fast bowler was “unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.”

Sir Viv says if Sammy’s comments were exaggerated in any way, it may have a lasting effect on Joseph’s future.

“This sometimes hampers guys’ professional careers; such statements, if they're not true and stuff like that, a lot of things linger,” he told the Antigua Observer.

Alzarri Joseph (AFP/Getty Images)

Kingsmen partner with Gayle’s Rich Rum

2026-08-06T09:09:21Z

The Jamaica Kingsmen have partnered with Triple Gold Rums Limited and its recently launched premium spirits brand, Rich Rum, founded by cricket icon Chris Gayle, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The two-year agreement will see Rich Rum serve as the exclusive rum partner for the Kingsmen’s home matches at Sabina Park, starting with the franchise’s four home games from August 11 to 18.

Gayle, who captained the Jamaica Tallawahs to two titles in five seasons, said the partnership with the Kingsmen was an opportunity to support Jamaican cricket and help restore the country’s place among the leading franchises in the region.

“I am very proud to support Jamaican cricket at Sabina Park through our partnership with the Jamaica Kingsmen,” Gayle said. “Sabina Park has a rich history and holds many fond memories for me. I can’t wait to return to and enjoy our great-tasting, single-estate, triple-distilled, 100% Jamaican Rich Rum while cheering on the Jamaica Kingsmen in their quest for a CPL championship.”

Chris Gayle & Rich Rum expressions

CPL to provide fans at all eight venues with free health tests

2026-08-05T19:45:18Z

The league is aiming for the practice to become a permanent one

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will partner with regional health authorities and non-governmental organisations to provide free health testing for fans at all eight of its host venues this season, as part of the tournament's ongoing support for the fight against non-communicable diseases. The programme will see CPL use its reach to signpost fans toward appropriate health services, with organisers planning for the initiative to become a permanent fixture of the tournament calendar.

The initiative will run across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, with health professionals stationed at CPL venues throughout the tournament.

Services will include vital signs screening covering blood pressure, blood glucose testing, Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, urinalysis, and PSA testing.

Trinbago Knight Riders fans (CPL)

Windies lose second Test to Pakistan by 8 wickets

2026-08-05T17:37:01Z

King-less line-up gave the bowlers little to work with on Queen’s Park turner

Result, Day 4: Pakistan 387 & 77 for 2 (Babar 24*, Shafique 24*; Seales 1-9) beat West Indies 344 & 117 all out (Hodge 34, Chanderpaul 17; Sajid 4-32) by 8 wickets

Needing just 75 runs for victory, a leisurely approach from the Pakistan batters meant Day 4 spilt over into the afternoon session. West Indies had earlier batted for half an hour, adding 14 to their overnight 103 for six before losing their last three available wickets.

Ali Usman (4/39) removed Kemar Roach for a duck, and Shamar Joseph (9) to match Sajid Khan’s four-for, crucially keeping the Windies lower-order quiet and dismissing the hosts for 117.

Despite losing Imam-ul-Haq (9) and Azan Awais (18) to the Windies quicks, first-innings centurion Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam made identical scores of 24 in an unbroken 35-run third-wicket stand to see the visitors to a series-levelling win at 77 for two.

The 1-1 result snapped an eight-game losing streak away from home for Pakistan while simultaneously prolonging the West Indies’ 26-year wait for a series win over the visitors.

Justin Greaves (AFP/Getty Images)

Green ‘honoured’ to lead Barbados Tridents

2026-08-05T12:06:18Z

Australian all-rounder Chris Green has been appointed captain of the Barbados Tridents for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League season. The 32-year-old replaces Rovman Powell, who returns to his home franchise, the Jamaica Kingsmen, after three seasons in Barbados.

Green has previously skippered the Sydney Thunder in Australia's Big Bash League and the Birmingham Bears in England’s Vitality Blast. He also has leadership experience in the CPL, standing in to lead the Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2018 before being given the role full-time in 2020.

“It is a real honour to captain the Barbados Tridents,” Green said. “Having been part of the squad last year, I understand what this team means to Barbados and its supporters.”

The team has been emphasising its local roots and influence this off-season, the year of the country’s 60th Independence, which has led to a return to its original Tridents tag after rebranding as the Royals five years ago.

Chris Green (CPL T20/Getty Images)

Windies six down after Warrican wrecks Pakistan lower-order

2026-08-04T22:19:41Z

Chase falls off last ball after nightwatchman Seales lasted two deliveries

Stumps, Day 3: West Indies 344 & 103 for six (Hodge 34, Chanderpaul 17; Sajid 4-32) lead Pakistan 387 all out (Abdullah Shafique 160*, Babar Azam 88; Warrican 6-112) by 60 runs

The West Indies were left reeling at 103 for six at stumps, effectively 60 for six, with two recognised batsmen remaining, setting Pakistan a target in their second innings. Spinners Sajid Khan and Ali Usman ran through the Caribbean side’s top and middle order after a brisk start from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge, leaving them with a mountain to climb heading into Day 4.

Jomel Warrican’s 6 for 112 earlier halted Pakistan’s first-innings lead at 43. Chanderpaul and Hodge then shared in a 40-run first-wicket stand in the absence of resident opener Brandon King to eat into that advantage. West Indies must have been optimistic.

However, spells of 4 for 32 from Sajid and Usman’s 2 for 29 quickly tilted the balance back in Pakistan’s favour as Windies finished the day losing three wickets for four runs.

It might not have changed anything if all things had remained equal, but the West Indies entered the second innings with an unsettled batting line-up. King was serving a time penalty due to back spasms, which kept him off the field in their bowling innings.

Hodge, stepping up as a makeshift opener, top-scored with 34, while Jangoo (13) batted at No. 3. Chase came in at No. 4, as wicketkeeper Shai Hope retained his No. 5 spot, with nightwatchman Jayden Seales coming ahead of Justin Greaves, who is nursing a thigh strain. All, except Greaves, who finished unbeaten on one, fell victim to either Sajid or Usman.

Jomel Warrican (AFP/Getty Images)

CPL introduces Hall of Fame, two inductees to be added each year

2026-08-04T12:48:46Z

Not long until the first inductees are revealed

From Chris Gayle’s 47* dragging Jamaica Tallawahs to the very first CPL title in 2013, to Trinbago Knight Riders blazing to 267/2 – still the highest total in tournament history – CPL has spent thirteen years producing moments that define Caribbean cricket. Now those moments, and the people behind them, get a permanent home.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced the launch of the CPL Hall of Fame, a new annual honour created to recognise the players and individuals who have defined the tournament’s success since its inception in 2013.

The Hall of Fame will induct two honourees each year, one player and one person who has made a monumental impact on the event off the field. The awards will celebrate performances, leadership, and contributions on and off the field that have helped establish CPL as one of the most popular T20 franchise competitions in world cricket.

Since Gayle powered the Tallawahs past Guyana Amazon Warriors in that first final at Queen's Park Oval, CPL has delivered a run of records and moments that have shaped the modern T20 game: Dwayne Bravo has taken wickets and won titles throughout the tournament's history; Tim Seifert and Andre Russell shared the tournament's fastest century, both reaching three figures off just 53 balls; Shakib Al Hasan produced the best bowling figures the competition has ever seen, a remarkable 6/6; and Trinbago Knight Riders went unbeaten through the 2020 season on their way to becoming the first three-time – and then five-time – champions.

West Indies worn down by Shafique, Babar 168-run stand

2026-08-03T22:33:27Z

Windies’ first innings 344 looked a taller ask before Pakistan batted

Pakistan 266 for 2 (Shafique 107*, Babar 86*; Joseph 1-58) trail West Indies 344 (Greaves 73, Chase 70; Sajid 4-85) by 78 runs

The West Indies have been left on the defensive after a spectacular 168-run unbroken third-wicket stand between Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam, which trimmed the Caribbean side’s first-innings advantage to 78 runs with eight wickets remaining.

Shafique notched a brilliant sixth Test ton to lead Pakistan’s response. He and captain Babar Azam (86*) came together with the score 98 for two and saw the visitors through to close of play at 266 without further loss.

The West Indies attack, which has been missing Justin Greaves, whose thigh was heavily padded while batting, has been largely ineffective, with two of their premier seamers, Kemar Roach (0-35) and Shamar Joseph (1-58), conceding at over five runs per over.

Joseph is the only member of their pace trio who delivered double-digit overs of the 66 bowled, with Jayden Seales bowling nine and Roach just six. Pakistan, in the meantime, have reaped the rewards of an aggressive start. After wearing down the Windies bowlers, they cruised through a wicketless final session to end the day on top.

Pakistan cantered through the second session on what was, evidently even at that time, the best of the Queen’s Park pitch. Despite Joseph bouncing out Imam-ul-Haq (14), the visitors’ momentum was only momentarily halted as they translated their fast start into the pace of their innings.

Abdullah Shafique (AFP/Getty Images)

ICC confirms venues for 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup

2026-08-03T14:10:51Z

The host cities and the brand for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 were revealed today at a spectacular launch event in Johannesburg as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia prepare to host the tournament in October and November.

The pinnacle white-ball tournament returns to Africa after 24 years when the world’s top 14 teams converge for what promises to be the most exciting tournament of its kind for fans around the globe who will either be travelling for the event or following the matches on broadcast and digital channels.

A spirit of unity, diversity and community is integral to the tournament’s positioning, as the three host nations prepare to stage a global celebration of cricket inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu – "I am, because we are". Rooted in the belief that our shared humanity is defined by compassion, kindness and our connection to one another, Ubuntu embodies the inclusive spirit that will welcome the world to Africa. This unique expression of togetherness will make the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 a tournament unlike any that has come before.

As revealed at the colourful launch event at the Inanda Polo Club that was attended by top cricket officials, current cricketers and legends of the game, sitting at the heart of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 brand is the circular African bowl. Across Southern Africa, these distinct, circular and culturally symbolic woven bowls and baskets have played a role in daily life and tradition, historically used to present harvests, gifts and offerings. They represent inclusivity, community and hospitality, welcoming the world into the circle to celebrate cricket through the lens of Southern African identity and passion. In 2027, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup aims to “Make the Circle Bigger” by inviting the world to experience the absolute best cricket in Africa has to offer.

The brand reflects the tournament’s 12 host venues that were revealed today: Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), Centurion (Tshwane), Newlands Cricket Ground (Cape Town), Kingsmead Cricket Ground (Durban), St George’s Park (Gqeberha), Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein), Boland Park (Paarl), and Buffalo Park (KuGompo City, formerly known as East London) in South Africa; Harare Sports Club (Harare), Queens Sports Club (Bulawayo), and the newly constructed Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium (Victoria Falls) in Zimbabwe; and Namibia Cricket Ground (Windhoek) in Namibia.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah (ICC)