Antigua and Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals, CPLT20, Today Match Prediction

ABF vs BR Match Prediction & Analysis

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have replaced the Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2024. They’ve started their season with two consecutive losses and will be eager to secure their first win as they gear up to face Barbados Royals.

Barbados Royals will be playing their first match of the season. They’ve retained a few key players and brought in Miller and QDK to strengthen their batting lineup. Their squad looks much stronger than the previous season.

The Falcons pack a strong punch in the bowling department. They’ve got some quality bowlers with plenty of experience. They are in good touch and need support from the batters to pull off a win.

They will be up against a strong batting lineup. There is plenty of firepower in the Royals’ batting department with many experienced big hitters. It will be a thrilling contest between these two sides.

ABF vs BR Betting News

TEAMS PREVIEW

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Preview

Antigua were decent in their performances and fell short by a very small margin. They lost their opening game by 1 wicket while defending 163 runs. They were facing a very strong batting lineup in that game.

Shamar Springer got through one of the best batting orders in this tournament while defending such a total. He dismissed Evin Lewis, Tristan Stubbs, Odean Smith, and Rilee Rossouw.

In the last match where they were defending 167 runs, they were off to a brilliant start, picking up early wickets and reducing the opposition to 3 down 67 in 9.4 Overs. They lost the plot at the death with the number 7 and 8 batters of the opposition scoring at a 200.00 strike rate.

That is where Antigua needs to improve. Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim will be the key wicket-takers to watch out for. They’ve got many spin-bowling options with skipper Chris Green and Fabian Allen in the mix.

Fakhar Zaman leads the batting lineup at the top followed by Sam Billing in the middle order. The rest of the batting lineup consists of relatively new faces like Teddy Bishop, Kofi James, and Jewel Andrew. 

Imad Wasim is a handy batter lower down the order and can be the finisher for the side. He was impressive in the last game with 40 off 21 at number 6. 

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Predicted Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Teddy Bishop, Kofi James, Jewel Andrew, Sam Billings (wk), Roshon Primus, Imad Wasim, Chris Green (c), Fabian Allen, Shamar Springer, Mohammad Amir

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Actual Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Fabian Allen, Chris Green, Imad Wasim, Roshon Primus, Shamar Springer, Kofi James, Mohammad Amir, Hayden Walsh, Jewel Andrew, Sam Billings

Barbados Royals Preview

Barbados Royals are bringing a stronger side than the last year. They’ve replaced many of their all-rounders and bowlers and brought in some of the top T20 specialists from South Africa.

With Quinton de Kock at the top and David Miller in the middle or lower middle order, the Royals have ticked two most important boxes. Former Windies skipper and all-rounder Jason Holder will continue to be part of the squad and has a key role to play with the ball.

Skipper Rovman Powell is another big-hitting player who can deliver the biggest impact. They have retained Rahkeem Cornwall who is another opening option. Alick Athanzee and Shamarh Brooks could feature in the middle order.

There are many great options with the bat and with a few big-hitting overseas players along with the skipper, Royals will pose a tough challenge to the home team. Moreover, they’ve brought in some promising bowlers like Naveen-ul-Haq, Keshav Maharaj, and Maheesh Theekshana. Obed McCoy and Nyeem Young have been retained.

Left-arm orthodox bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage adds more variety in the spin-bowling department. Barbados Royals should deliver a much stronger performance this season given their overall squad strength.

Barbados Royals Predicted Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Shamarh Brooks, David Miller, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Dunith Wellalage, Keshav Maharaj, Obed McCoy, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nyeem Young

Barbados Royals Actual Playing XI:

Rovman Powell, Alick Athanaze, Quinton de Kock, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, Naveen ul Haq, Maheesh Theekshana, Nyeem Young, Shamarh Brooks, Dunith Wellalage

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There will be cloudy skies in Antigua with a high of 31 degrees Celsius on the match day. While there are scattered showers expected throughout the week, there is no prediction of rain on the match day.

ABF vs BR Pitch Report

It is a balanced wicket and unlike in the T20 World Cup, it hasn’t offered much help for the batters. There will be a great contest between bat and ball allowing for a close encounter between the two teams. The average 1st innings score at this venue in the last 10 matches is 138 runs but for a match-winning total, the team batting first should aim for 175 or more.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have won 7 of the last 10 matches played at this venue. In CPL 2024, teams winning the toss at this venue have opted to bowl first and won both matches. It wasn’t easy to chase down a 169 and 164-run target as the pitch also helped bowlers in the second innings.