JAMAICA Kingsmen Captain Rovman Powell says his side will need special plans to stop Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, after booking their place this evening in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final with a five-wicket win over Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Powell’s debutant Kingsmen chased down 207 runs to win Qualifier 2 by five wickets at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Friday, but the skipper has quickly turned his attention to the final. The grand finale is set for Kensington Oval at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time).

“I think if you look at it, Antigua is one of those teams that have played the best cricket throughout the entire competition. They have been really successful, especially as a spin group, and even as a fast bowling core. They have been a very successful team,” Powell said in a televised interview.

“We’ll take the next 24 hours to sit down, revise some plans, and see if we can come up with some good plans against their match-winning players.”

Shimron Hetmyer (right) of Guyana Amazon Warriors hits a six while Jamaica Kingsmen wicketkeeper Romaine Morris (left) looks on during the Men’s 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Qualifier-2, at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Friday night. (Photo: CPL T20)

The Kingsmen reached the final the hard way. After losing their first three games they roared back to squeeze into the play-offs, beat Barbados Tridents in the Eliminator, and then knocked out Guyana who posted 206-4, thanks to Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 102 off 45 balls.

Hetmyer smashed eight sixes and four fours; shared in a 96-run, third-wicket partnership with Shai Hope, 40 from 33 balls; and a further 65-run fourth-wicket stand with Quentin Sampson, 29 from 17 balls.

For the Kingsmen, Hassan Khan, Andre Russell and Hunain Shah took one wicket apiece.

In reply, the Kingsmen reached 207-5 from 19.4 overs. Maaz Sadaqat gave them a blistering start, smashing 41 from 17 balls with three sixes and five fours to take them to 42-1 from three overs. Kirk McKenzie, 34, and Keacy Carty pushed the score to 90-2 in 8.2 overs. Saim Ayub chipped in with a fiery 23 off 17 balls to leave the Kingsmen at 152-3 in 15.1 overs. Carty was run out for 56 off 40 balls at 172-4 in 16.5 overs, before Powell’s 40 runs not out from 17 balls sealed it with Russell, two, and Hassan Khan, four not out.

This fan supports the Jamaica Kingsmen during the game.(Photo: CPL T20)

Powell said reaching the final is a proud moment for the new Jamaica franchise.

“It’s a proud journey, to be honest,” he said. “It started out with us losing three games early in the competition. In the middle of the competition we found some form, some confidence, and realised that we can play cricket as a bunch.

“Coming in, we just wanted to squeeze into the play-offs because, you know, once you get a Jamaica team into the play-offs, they’re dangerous.”

Keacy Carty of Jamaica Kingsmen celebrates his half-century. (Photo: CPL T20)

Powell defended his bowlers after conceding 206, saying the wicket was excellent for batting.

“Nah, I think we bowled well in patches, to be honest,” he said. “Andre Russell and a few of the other guys kind of struggled, but when he came off the field the energy that he came back with was exceptional. I told the guys at the halfway mark that they got 15 extra runs. After Saim Ayub bowled the first few balls to Hetmyer, he says, ‘Skipper, it’s a very good wicket.’ ”

Powell also credited the Kingsmen owners and coaching staff for giving him full control to lead the team back to Jamaica.

“They have given me the control to actually run the franchise, to actually lead,” he said. “And that is something that I’ve always wanted — especially with a team coming back to Jamaica and needing to know the local players.

“So this is one year that I tried to get involved as a captain, and it’s good to see that bearing fruit. So a lot of credit has to be given to the boys. I think they fought really hard.”

On winning Player of the Match ahead of centurion Hetmyer, Powell was gracious in sharing the spotlight with his fellow West Indies teammate.

“It’s special,” he said. “[He’s] a really, really special player to come off in a play-off game like this with his entire country on his back. You know the pressure you get from Guyana when you don’t score, and to turn that around from a few nights ago and come and score a hundred is fantastic. He’s a world-class player, and it’s just unfortunate that he came out on the losing end.”

Powell had a final message for the Jamaican fans ahead of Sunday.

“Just keep on supporting us,” he said. “It’s been a tough start but we have fought a good battle. We have one more last push. Keep supporting us from home, or if you can come to the stadium in your Jamaica colours, please come down. Come down; it’s a CPL final.”