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Barbados Royals
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
The third match of the CPL 2025 will be played between Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and Barbados Royals at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. Both teams will look to improve on their underwhelming CPL 2024 campaigns.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will come into this season after finishing 5th last year with 3 wins and 7 losses and a net run rate of -0.592. Barbados Royals will start their season after finishing 4th in 2024 with 5 wins in 10 matches and a net run rate of -0.084.
When these two sides met last season, Barbados Royals won both matches. They defended a total in one game and chased successfully in the other.
Barbados Royals will begin this season without Jason Holder, who was with the team for 13 years. They have added Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have signed Shakib Al Hasan and AM Ghazanfar.
Brandon King and Quinton de Kockโs proven consistency and ability to handle the new ball give Barbados Royals a strong chance of building a bigger opening stand than their opponents.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - Barbados Royalsโโ
64 %
36 %
Barbados RoyalsAntigua and Barbuda FalconsAntigua and Barbuda Falcons will be led by either Imad Wasim or Shakib Al Hasan this season. Both have led their national sides at the highest level.
The team includes Fabian Allen, Jewel Andrew, Rahkeem Cornwall, Justin Greaves, Obed McCoy, Jayden Seales, Shamar Springer, and Odean Smith as national team players. Seales, Springer, and Smith will bring solid experience in T20 cricket.
The overseas group features AM Ghazanfar, Imad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Bevon Jacobs, giving the side strong all-round depth. With several quality all-rounders, they will have flexibility in both batting and bowling combinations.
Odean Smith and Imad Wasim can also play the x-factor playerโs role in the lower middle order if needed to finish chases if the team needs them to showcase their batting skills.
Shakib, Wasim and Naveen are the key players in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Kevin Wickham, Rahkeem Cornwall (wk), Jewel Andrew, Justin Greaves, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Fabian Allen, Imad Wasim, Odean Smith, Naveen-ul-Haq, Jayden Seales, and Obed McCoy.
Barbados Royals will be led by Rovman Powell this season, bringing leadership experience from international cricket.
The squad will feature West Indies players such as Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jomel Warrican, Kofi James, and Kadeem Alleyne. Sherfane Rutherford will enter the season after a recent breakthrough in his career.
Overseas options will include wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai, and mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The team will have a strong top order with King and De Kock opening, followed by Powell in the middle order. And several all-rounders, giving them balance in both batting and bowling.
King, De Kock and Powell are the key batters in the team.
Predicted Lineup: Brandon King, Quinton de Kock (wk), Kadeem Alleyne, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kofi James, Nayeem Young, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jomel Warrican, and Ramon Simmonds.
Barbados Royals will start the match with a strong opening pair in Brandon King and Quinton de Kock. Both players can score quickly and handle the new ball well. Their recent form and experience at the top will give the team a solid platform.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will rely on their new-ball bowlers, but the Royalsโ openers are experienced against both pace and spin. If they settle early, they will be able to put together a steady stand in the power play.
The combination of Kingโs consistency and de Kockโs aggressive stroke play will make them a tough pair to dismiss early. This could give Barbados Royals an early edge in the match.
