After Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad claimed three wickets, America’s Aaron Jones toiled diligently to make 48 not out in 31 deliveries as the Saint Lucia Kings overcame the Guyana Amazon Warriors by six wickets in the championship game to win their first-ever Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Providence Stadium.

Saint Lucia’s reign as the only original franchise without a championship was ended with the win, which made them the sixth club to win the CPL.

With a surprising burst of power hitting, Jones turned the match around on a sluggish, challenging pitch after a middle-order collapse that left Saint Lucia reeling at 51 for 4 in chase of a modest 139.

Imran Tahir and Gudakesh Motie, the Warriors’ spinners, strangled the Kings, inciting a frenzy among the crammed audience. Saint Lucia was unable to establish a single boundary for nine extended overs. The illness was taking a toll on Roston Chase, and Jones was so messed up that Daren Sammy thought for a while about retiring him.

But Jones changed the course of events just when it seemed as if the Kings could fall. He reached 10 after 19 balls, but then he went on the attack, hitting 38 off his next 12 deliveries. The two established an unbroken 88-run partnership with the vital assistance of Chase, who provided a steadying influence reminiscent of Marlon Samuels’ well-known big-match exploits for the West Indies. The home audience, who had been cheering for Guyana the entire evening, was taken aback when Saint Lucia crossed the finish line with two balls remaining.

The Kings, who had hitherto been the only original franchise to win the CPL, broke a long-standing curse with the win. The group, which was once known as the St. Lucia Zouks, has never made it to the postseason despite coming close in previous seasons.

But this year, the Kings ultimately won the title under Sammy’s direction and with the help of exceptional performances from players like Chase and Jones.

After five seasons with the Kings, Chase overcame sickness and pressure to have an important effort in the championship game. Chase’s composure and fortitude highlighted his developing status as a vital player in the CPL, especially after he had already secured a central contract with Cricket West Indies earlier in the week. Throughout the season, he made bat and ball contributions that were vital to Saint Lucia’s victory.

The score had seemed to be in Guyana’s favor prior to the Kings’ valiant comeback. Saint Lucia had been consistently pressured by the Warriors’ spin four, and when Tahir and Motie were taking wickets, the stadium would erupt in cheers. The boundary drought of Aaron Jones and Roston Chase made Guyana’s chances of winning two consecutive titles seem all but certain.

The bowlers from Saint Lucia had performed well earlier in the game, limiting Guyana to 102 for 7 after 18 overs. But the Warriors rallied for a competitive 138 after scoring 36 runs in the last two overs.

Noor Ahmad of Afghanistan was the Kings’ standout player with the ball, taking three wickets in the decisive match. He ended as the top wicket-taker with 22 scalps at an exceptional economy rate of 6.19, earning him the Player of the Series title for his performances throughout the competition.