Antigua & Barbuda Falcons CPL 2026 Squad: Full Player List
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are heading into the 2026 Caribbean Premier League with arguably their most exciting squad since the franchise was founded in 2024. With Alzarri Joseph finally playing at home, Evin Lewis bringing genuine opening-order firepower, and a deep overseas contingent returning under captain Imad Wasim, this is a team built with purpose — and a chip on its shoulder after reaching the CPL 2025 final four but falling just short of glory.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Falcons’ full CPL 2026 squad, the big-name additions, the core retentions, and why this group could go all the way.
CPL 2026: Quick Tournament Overview
The 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League — the 14th edition of the tournament — is scheduled to run from August 7 to September 20, 2026, featuring seven franchise teams. The Falcons will open their campaign on August 7 against Jamaica Kingsmen at Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent, before returning to their home fortress at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
After two seasons that showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistency to win it all, the 2026 campaign feels like it could be the Falcons’ year — or at least the year they become genuine title contenders rather than hopeful outsiders.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons CPL 2026 Full Squad
| Player | Role | Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Alzarri Joseph | Fast Bowler | Antigua & Barbuda |
| Evin Lewis | Batter | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Fabian Allen | All-Rounder | Jamaica |
| Jayden Seales | Fast Bowler | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Amir Jangoo | Batter | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Shamar Springer | All-Rounder | Barbados |
| Jahmar Hamilton | Wicket-Keeper | Antigua & Barbuda |
| Rahkeem Cornwall | All-Rounder | Antigua & Barbuda |
| Anderson Phillip | Fast Bowler | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Karima Gore | Bowler | Antigua & Barbuda |
| Anderson Mahase | Bowler | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Joshua James | Fast Bowler | Barbados |
Overseas Players (Retained/Announced)
| Player | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Imad Wasim (c) | All-Rounder | Pakistan |
| Shakib Al Hasan | All-Rounder | Bangladesh |
| Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar | Bowler | Afghanistan |
| Usama Mir | Bowler | Pakistan |
| Andries Gous | Batter | South Africa |
| Salman Irshad | Bowler | Pakistan |
| Bevon Jacobs | Batter | New Zealand |
Captain: Imad Wasim
Head Coach: Paul Nixon
Home Ground: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Key Players To Watch
The Headline Signing: Alzarri Joseph Returns Home
If there’s one signing that’s generated the most buzz on the island, it’s Alzarri Joseph finally pulling on the Falcons jersey.
The fiery Antiguian fast bowler spent five years with the St Lucia Kings and became one of the CPL’s most feared pace weapons during that time. Now, he comes home — and by the sound of things, he’s genuinely emotional about it.
At the end of the day, I’m happy to be at home,” Joseph said, admitting he was a bit surprised when the approach came through. The real excitement for Falcons fans isn’t just sentimental. It’s tactical. Joseph knows the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium pitch intimately, and bowling those short, hard lengths with the Caribbean breeze behind him — in front of his own crowd — is a mouth-watering prospect for any cricket fan.
He joins fellow Antiguans Rahkeem Cornwall and Karima Gore in the squad, giving the home side a core of local identity that earlier Falcons squads sometimes lacked. “We all know the conditions in the Caribbean, so I’m hoping that we can exploit that and use the conditions to our advantage,” Joseph added. It’s hard to argue with that logic.
Evin Lewis: The Move That Changes Everything
Signing Evin Lewis might be the shrewdest piece of squad-building the Falcons have done since they entered the league.
Lewis spent more than a decade at the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots — long enough that his departure carries real significance. He’s one of the most destructive T20 openers the Caribbean has ever produced. When he’s on song, he can take apart any bowling attack in the world inside the first six overs. His record at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, a ground that suits aggressive batting, makes him an ideal fit at the top of this order.
Pairing Lewis with the consistent Amir Jangoo — retained via the Right to Match option — gives the Falcons a proper top order for the first time in their short history.
Imad Wasim: Leading the Ship Again
Captain Imad Wasim enters his second season in charge of the Falcons with a much stronger hand of cards. The Pakistani all-rounder — a T20 specialist with a decorated career across franchise cricket globally — showed genuine leadership qualities in CPL 2025, even when results didn’t always go the team’s way.
His bowling is tailor-made for Caribbean conditions. Left-arm orthodox spin with sharp variations, excellent economy, and the ability to bowl at the death if needed. As a left-handed batter, he also provides genuine lower-order value. With Paul Nixon continuing as head coach — a tactically sharp and player-focused operator — the leadership structure looks stable and experienced.
Shakib Al Hasan: The Veteran Who Still Delivers
Shakib Al Hasan’s inclusion might raise eyebrows given how much his international career has wound down in recent times, but in franchise cricket, the Bangladesh legend remains a difference-maker.
His left-arm spin and smart batting make him an ideal T20 operator, particularly in Caribbean conditions where reading the pitch and varying pace matter more than raw speed. In CPL 2025, he even became the first player to reach 500 wickets in T20 cricket — a milestone moment that happened in a Falcons shirt. That’s the kind of performer who brings calm experience to a dressing room that still has plenty of young energy.
Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip: Pace to Trouble Anyone
The Falcons’ fast bowling department looks genuinely threatening in 2026.
Jayden Seales — retained via Right to Match — had an outstanding CPL 2025, earning his place in the Falcons’ playoff push with sharp, disciplined pace bowling. The young Trinidadian plays regularly for West Indies and brings that extra intensity that comes from playing international cricket consistently.
Anderson Phillip is a new addition but by no means an unknown. Also from Trinidad & Tobago, Phillip has all the attributes to thrive in T20 cricket — skiddy pace, hard lengths, and enough variation to keep batters guessing. Combine these two with Alzarri Joseph, and the Falcons suddenly have one of the more dangerous pace attacks in CPL 2026.
Rahkeem Cornwall: Power and Guile in One Package
There aren’t many players in Caribbean cricket who can dominate a game with both bat and ball. Rahkeem Cornwall is one of them.
The big Antiguan all-rounder returning to the Falcons squad is a crowd favourite and a tactical asset. His off-spin on turning pitches is genuinely difficult to face — he deceives batters with loop, drift, and that surprising extra bounce for a spinner. With the bat, he’s a clean striker who can change a game quickly at any point in the innings. On home turf at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Cornwall will be a key performer.
Fabian Allen: The Reliable Core
Some players don’t always grab the headlines but form the backbone of successful T20 sides. Fabian Allen is exactly that for the Falcons.
Retained via Right to Match for a third straight season, Allen’s left-arm spin gives another slow bowling option alongside Imad and Shakib, creating genuine variety in the attack. His lower-order batting often provides exactly the kind of brisk, sensible runs that win close games. At 30, he’s entering what should be the peak years of a franchise cricket career.
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar: The X-Factor
Every strong CPL side needs a wildcard — a player who can produce something completely unexpected. For the Falcons, that’s Afghanistan teenager Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.
The right-arm mystery spinner is only 19 years old but has already shown at franchise cricket level that he’s no ordinary talent. His ability to generate sharp turn combined with an unusual bowling action makes him genuinely difficult to read, especially for batters unfamiliar with facing him. Ghazanfar offers something different, and in T20 cricket, different often wins games.
How Does the 2026 Squad Compare to Previous Seasons?
The Falcons have improved meaningfully with each edition.
In 2024, they were a brand-new franchise still finding their identity. The 2025 squad showed real progress, reaching the final four and developing genuine team chemistry under Paul Nixon. The 2026 squad now adds:
- A genuine local icon in Alzarri Joseph
- A top-tier T20 opener in Evin Lewis
- Fresh pace depth with Anderson Phillip
- Anderson Mahase as another spin option
What’s striking is the balance. The Falcons have genuine quality in all three departments — top-order batting, a varied bowling attack, and experienced all-rounders who can influence any phase of the game.
CPL 2026 Schedule Highlights for the Falcons
The Falcons open on August 7 against Jamaica Kingsmen at Arnos Vale, before returning to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium for home matches. Playing at home with Alzarri Joseph, Rahkeem Cornwall, and Karima Gore all representing their home island adds a dynamic that the Falcons haven’t had before. The crowd at Sir Viv’s ground can be incredibly loud — and in T20 cricket, home conditions and atmosphere genuinely matter.
FAQs
Who is the captain of Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in CPL 2026?
Imad Wasim captains the Falcons in the 2026 Caribbean Premier League. The Pakistani all-rounder also captained the side in 2025.
Who is the coach of the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons?
Paul Nixon serves as head coach. He took over from Shivnarine Chanderpaul ahead of the 2025 season.
Where do the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons play their home games?
The Falcons play at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Saint George, Antigua — one of the most iconic venues in Caribbean cricket.
Which new players have joined the Falcons for CPL 2026?
The most notable new additions are Alzarri Joseph (joining from St Lucia Kings), Evin Lewis (from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Anderson Phillip, and Anderson Mahase.
When do the Falcons play their first match in CPL 2026?
The Falcons open their 2026 campaign on August 7 against Jamaica Kingsmen at Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent.
Has Alzarri Joseph ever played for the Falcons before?
No. Joseph spent five years with the St Lucia Kings. The 2026 season marks his first with the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons — playing for his home island.
Are the Falcons CPL 2026 Title Contenders?
On paper, yes — and that’s not something that could have been said with confidence before.
The pieces are in place. A settled, experienced captain. A head coach who’s built a strong culture. A pace attack capable of winning games on any surface. A power-hitting opener in Evin Lewis. And the emotional X-factor of Alzarri Joseph bowling at home in front of an Antigua crowd that will absolutely be behind him.
The questions are the ones that always apply in T20 cricket: Can they stay injury-free? Will the overseas players hit form at the right time? Can the young players — Ghazanfar, Mahase — step up when needed?
If those boxes get ticked, don’t be surprised if the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are lifting the CPL trophy when September 20 arrives in 2026.
Stay updated with the latest CPL 2026 squad news, schedules, and match previews right here on CPLSchedule.com
