By Vidia Ramphal
The knockout stage of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set, and four franchises remain in the hunt for regional cricket’s most coveted T20 crown. The Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Saint Lucia Kings, and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons each bring different strengths—and vulnerabilities—into the business end of the tournament.
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Form Team of the Tournament
The Warriors enter the playoffs on the back of a dominant finish, sweeping aside the Barbados Royals to secure second place. They boast a dangerous top order, with Quentin Sampson joining Aussie import Ben McDermott and Shai Hope anchoring the innings. They also benefit from aggressive stroke makers such as Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, and Dwaine Pretorius. Their bowling, led by Imran Tahir, Gudakesh Motie, and Shepherd, has been both disciplined and penetrative.
Guyana’s biggest asset is momentum: they have won four of their last five matches and look like a unit peaking at the right time. Having fallen short in five previous CPL finals, the Warriors will be desperate to finally cross the finish line and earn their second CPL title.
Saint Lucia Kings: Balanced but Under Pressure
Finishing at the top of the league table, the Kings carry the advantage of two opportunities to reach the final. Their campaign has been built on consistent contributions rather than star reliance. Johnson Charles and Tim Seifert have provided steady starts, while Ackeem Auguste is enjoying a breakout season, and Roston Chase has impressed with both bat and ball.
The Kings’ bowling attack, particularly spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Khary Pierre, has kept opponents under constant pressure. However, the defending champions lost off the final ball to the Amazon Warriors in their last preliminary round match—a defeat that could weigh on them when the sides clash again in Qualifier 1.
Trinbago Knight Riders: Talent-Rich but Stumbling
On paper, TKR remain the most star-studded team in the league, boasting Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell. Yet their recent form is a concern. Having lost three straight games since sealing qualification, Dwayne Bravo’s side slipped from first to third.
The batting has looked brittle under pressure, and over-dependence on Pooran has been exposed. Colin Munro and Alex Hales provided strong starts earlier in the tournament, but their form has cooled. Kieron Pollard, however, has continued to fire and is enjoying his best season in Knight Riders’ colors.
Mohammad Amir remains sidelined through injury, and his return could spark a bowling unit currently led by Usman Tariq. Still, Trinbago’s experience cannot be underestimated. With four titles already in their cabinet, they know how to handle the intensity of the playoffs. If their big names click, TKR could bulldoze their way to the final—but they must rediscover urgency quickly.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons: The Dangerous Underdogs
The CPL’s newest franchise has been the story of the season, qualifying for the playoffs in only their second campaign. Powered by Andre Fletcher’s explosive batting and Jayden Seales’ pace, the Falcons play with freedom and flair. They have beaten the Knight Riders in three of their four encounters since debuting last year.
They will enter the Eliminator as underdogs, but that status could work in their favor. With nothing to lose, Antigua may prove the most dangerous team of all. Their inexperience in knockout cricket, however, remains a concern—one bad day could end their fairy-tale run.
The Verdict
On current form, the Warriors and Kings look best equipped to reach the final, while Trinbago’s pedigree keeps them firmly in contention. The Falcons, meanwhile, are outsiders but possess the firepower to spring a surprise. Given the CPL’s unpredictability, Caribbean fans can expect a thrilling climax as four teams chase glory.
Check out the FULL CPL 2025 Playoffs Press Conference 👇🏽
UPCOMING FIXTURES
- Sept 16: Eliminator – Trinbago Knight Riders vs Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
- Sept 17: Qualifier 1 – Saint Lucia Kings vs Guyana Amazon Warriors
- Sept 19: Qualifier 2
- Sept 21: The Final
FINAL POINTS TABLE
- Saint Lucia Kings – 12
- Guyana Amazon Warriors – 12
- Trinbago Knight Riders – 12
- Antigua and Barbuda Falcons – 11
- St Kitts and Nevis Patriots – 8
- Barbados Royals – 5
TOP PERFORMERS
Most Runs
- Shai Hope (GAW) – 447
- Colin Munro (TKR) – 373
- Tim Seifert (SLK) – 338
- Kieron Pollard (TKR) – 327
- Andre Fletcher (SKNP) – 310
Most Wickets
- Imran Tahir (GAW) – 18
- Waqar Salamkheil (SKNP) – 15
- Tabraiz Shamsi (SLK) – 14
- Daniel Sams (BR) – 14
- Jason Holder (SKNP) – 13
Highest Scores
- Tim Seifert (SLK) – 125*
- Colin Munro (TKR) – 120
- Brandon King (BR) – 98*
- Roston Chase (SLK) – 90*
- Andrie Gous (ABF) – 85*
Most Sixes
- Kieron Pollard (TKR) – 29
- Rovman Powell (BR) – 22
- Jason Holder (SKNP) – 21
- Tim Seifert (SLK) – 20
- Nicholas Pooran (TKR) – 17
Best Bowling Figures
- Imran Tahir (GAW) – 5/21
- Gudakesh Motie (GAW) – 5/21
- Jason Holder (SKNP) – 4/14
- Jayden Seales (ABF) – 4/15
- Waqar Salamkheil (SKNP) – 4/2
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