Hand-picked stories you can't miss
Match 24 | CPL 2026 | Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad | 2 September 2026
Sunil Narine and Usman Tariq are TKR’s best shot at containing Shadab Khan, and both were the ones who actually kept him quiet in bowling figures during their first meeting. The problem for Trinbago wasn’t the bowling attack in match 14, it was what happened at the death, when Terrance Hinds and Nathan Edward leaked five sixes between them. Fix that specific weakness and Shadab’s threat shrinks considerably heading into Sunday’s rematch at Queen’s Park Oval. Match 24 gives them the chance to prove the fix actually works.
Shadab Khan walked in at No. 7 with the Falcons at 92 for 5, needing 74 from just over six overs. What followed was one of CPL 2026’s most destructive finishes, an unbeaten 52 off 20 balls built around the last two overs alone.
He put together an unbroken 76-run stand with Kusal Perera, a new franchise record for the sixth wicket, and finished the job with nine balls still in hand. Three sixes came off Nathan Edward in the 18th over alone, and two more off Terrance Hinds sealed it in the 19th.
| Category | Figure | Context |
| Batting | 52 not out off 20 balls | Walked in at No. 7, Falcons 92 for 5 |
| Sixes | 5 sixes | 3 off Nathan Edward, 2 off Terrance Hinds |
| Partnership | 76 not out with Perera | Franchise record sixth-wicket stand, off 33 balls |
| Bowling | 1 for 8 in 4 overs | Economy of 2.00 |
| Result | Falcons won by 5 wickets | Chased 166 with 9 balls to spare |
The bowling figures matter just as much as the batting. Shadab conceded only 8 runs across his own four overs in the same match, which means Trinbago have to plan for him with bat and ball both, not just in the closing overs of a chase.
Trinbago have already faced this exact problem once and lost. The rematch on September 2 at Queen’s Park Oval is effectively a second chance to solve a puzzle they got wrong the first time, on a ground that traditionally favours the team batting first.
Nicholas Pooran’s side arrive with the same bowling attack that conceded those sixes in North Sound, since no changes have been confirmed to the XI. Whether Terrance Hinds and Nathan Edward keep their overs in the death this time will likely decide whether history repeats itself.
Sunil Narine is the obvious starting point. He bowled four overs in match 14 for just 24 runs and a wicket, the kind of control that could keep Shadab from ever getting the free swing he needs at the death.
| Player | Role Against Shadab | Season Form | Match 14 Result |
| Sunil Narine | Tight spin to slow the strike rate | 12 wickets, economy 5.23 | 4 overs, 1 for 24 |
| Usman Tariq | Pace variation to target the stumps | 15 wickets, economy 6.96 | 4 overs, 1 for 29 |
| Terrance Hinds | Avoid at the back end of a chase | Economy-heavy in recent games | Hit for two sixes in the 19th |
| Akeal Hosein | Left-arm option to dry up boundaries | Consistent powerplay wicket-taker | 4 overs, 0 for 28 |
Kieron Pollard’s medium pace offers a third option nobody talks about enough. He took two wickets in three overs against Barbados recently, and that change-up is exactly the sort of delivery that unsettles a batter set for pace and spin.
Nicholas Pooran remains Trinbago’s best answer with the bat if the game again comes down to Shadab’s leg-spin in the final overs. He scored 43 off 17 balls in the first meeting before falling to Rahkeem Cornwall, and his sweep against wrist spin is the shot most likely to change the equation this time.
Colin Munro’s left-handed angle offers something different again, since left-handers generally find leg-spin easier to read out of the hand. He made 46 off 33 in match 14 and remains Trinbago’s most reliable starter at the top of the order.
The table adds real stakes here too. Falcons sit second on net run rate with eight points, while Trinbago need the win just to stay in playoff contention. That gap in urgency is exactly why the Falcons vs TKR CPL 2026 Shadab Khan threat storyline matters more this time than it did in North Sound.
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the CPL.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the The CPL 2026.
What happened when Falcons played TKR earlier in CPL 2026?
The Falcons chased down TKR’s total with five wickets and nine balls to spare. Shadab Khan smashed an unbeaten 52 off 20 balls, including five sixes, to complete the chase of 166 in North Sound.
Which team does Shadab Khan play for in CPL 2026?
Shadab Khan plays for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. He bats at number seven and bowls leg-spin, and was named Player of the Match for his all-round display against Trinbago earlier this season.
Has Trinbago Knight Riders ever beaten this Falcons franchise?
Yes, TKR beat the Falcons by nine wickets in the 2025 CPL Eliminator. Nicholas Pooran made 90 not out in that win, though the Falcons won their most recent meeting between the sides.
Where is CPL Match 24 being played?
Match 24 is being played at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. It’s a night fixture on September 2, one of five straight home games for Trinbago at that venue this season.
Is Trinbago’s playing XI expected to change for the rematch?
No official changes have been confirmed to Trinbago’s XI for Match 24. Terrance Hinds and Nathan Edward, both targeted heavily by Shadab in the first meeting, remain available and are expected to keep their overs.
cricket
cricket
cricket