The Jamaica Kingsmen secured their first win of the 2026 Caribbean Premier League season on Saturday, successfully chasing down a target of 183 against the defending champions, Trinbago Knight Riders, at Sabina Park. The victory was anchored by a blistering 69-run knock from opener Kirk McKenzie, who faced just 25 deliveries. Contributions from Andre Russell and captain Rovman Powell ensured the hosts reached their target with five wickets and eight balls to spare.
McKenzie set an aggressive tone from the start, lofting Akeal Hosein in the opening over before taking 18 runs off him in the third. While he largely managed Sunil Narine with caution, he successfully connected on a slog-sweep against the spinner. The Kingsmen dominated the Powerplay, with McKenzie racing to a 19-ball fifty and punishing Terrance Hinds for 25 runs in a single over. By the time McKenzie was bowled attempting another big shot, the Kingsmen had already posted 93 runs in just seven overs.
Reeza Hendricks provided steady support with a 29-ball 37, though the scoring rate slowed as Usman Tariq claimed three wickets for 21 runs. Following the dismissals of McKenzie and Hendricks, and Kieron Pollard’s removal of Keacy Carty, the Kingsmen maintained their composure. Andre Russell played a tactical game against Narine before accelerating, and a 28-run over from Nathan Edward against Russell and Powell brought the required total into single digits. Despite Russell’s eventual dismissal, Powell guided the team to victory with a final score of 183/5.
Earlier, the Trinbago Knight Riders struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat. Colin Munro was dismissed for 16 off 26 balls by Russell during the final Powerplay over, and Alex Hales also failed to build on his start. At the 12th over, the Knight Riders were 77/2, but Kieron Pollard shifted the pressure by hitting three sixes and a four off Vitel Lawes. This sparked a 67-run partnership with Nicholas Pooran, who also upped his scoring rate.
Both Pollard and Pooran finished with 44 runs each before falling in quick succession. Late cameos from Jyd Goolie and Sunil Narine pushed the total to 182/6, but the score proved insufficient against the Kingsmen’s aggressive chase. Hunain Shah and Andre Russell were the standout bowlers for Jamaica, taking two wickets each.
Brief Scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 182/6 in 20 overs (Kieron Pollard 44, Nicholas Pooran 44; Hunain Shah 2-31, Andre Russell 2-34) lost to Jamaica Kingsmen 183/5 in 18.4 overs (Kirk McKenzie 69, Reeza Hendricks 37, Rovman Powell 29*; Usman Tariq 3-21) by 5 wickets.
Kirk McKenzie powered the Kingsmen with a rampant 25-ball 69, before cameos from Andre Russell and skipper Rovman Powell added the finishing touches as the hosts got home by five wickets with eight balls to spare.
McKenzie teed off from the outset, stepping out to loft Akeal Hosein in the opening over, before tearing into him for an 18-run third over.
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