Jamaica Kingsmen ready for CPL debut

A new chapter in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history unfolds this evening as the Jamaica Kingsmen, the tournament’s newest franchise, make their much-anticipated debut against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent.

With the first ball set for 7 p.m. Jamaica time, the Kingsmen are eager to stamp their authority on the league from the outset, carrying the hopes of a nation that has been without a CPL team since the Jamaica Tallawahs folded in 2023.

“Everything has been going well so far. I’m happy to be here,” said Kingsmen batsman Keacy Carty ahead of the clash. “It’s a change in environment for me, and so far, the guys have been very welcoming. We’ve been working hard, and tomorrow (today) is the first game, and we’re just going to try and put our best foot forward.”

Owned by Pakistani-American businessman Fawad Sarwar, the Jamaica franchise brings a distinctly international flavour to the Caribbean. Sarwar’s PSL outfit, Hyderabad Kingsmen, reached the final earlier this year, and that connection is evident in the Jamaica squad, which includes seven players with ties to the PSL side.

Among the Pakistani imports are the exciting Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, and pacer Hunain Shah — brother of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots bowler Naseem Shah.

The Kingsmen, however, are not short on Caribbean firepower. They will be captained by explosive all-rounder Rovman Powell and feature T20 legend Andre Russell, giving the side a potent mix of youth and experience.

Carty described the mood in camp as upbeat. “Preparation has been good. Team camaraderie has been great. Everyone has seemed to be in good nick, and we’re looking forward,” he said.

Following their opener in St Vincent, the Kingsmen will return home for a four-game stretch at Sabina Park starting Tuesday — a prospect that has the squad buzzing. “We’re definitely excited to get back home to put up some good performances for the crowd at Sabina Park,” Carty added. “And hopefully, that’s what they get from us.”

When asked for a message to Jamaican fans, Carty was direct: “Definitely come out and support. It’s going to be greatly appreciated by us, and we’re going to try our best to give you guys entertaining, winning cricket.”

On a personal level, the stylish batsman said his goal is simple: “Just to be impactful. I’m always trying to be impactful, play my role wherever I happen to fall in.”

Collectively, though, the ambition is clear. “We’ve been talking about coming and stamping our authority,” Carty revealed. “Not because we now come back into the tournament — we really want to put on performances where we compete for the championship, and the goal is definitely to win the championship.”

On the bowling front, the Kingsmen will rely on young left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes, who has impressed on the international stage. He will face a stern test against the Falcons’ own left-arm wrist spinner, Sufyan Moqim, recently named Player of the Tournament in the PSL.

The Falcons, captained by English all-rounder Moeen Ali, will look to West Indies batsman Amir Jangoo and the dangerous Evin Lewis for runs, with Jamaican all-rounder Fabian Allen adding further firepower.