Pakistan mystery spinner Usman Tariq has re-signed with Trinbago Knight Riders for CPL 2026, continuing his association with the franchise after helping them win the title in 2025.
Guyana Amazon Warriors, who finished as runners-up last season, have responded by retaining 47-year-old South African legspinner Imran Tahir and adding New Zealand allrounder Glenn Phillips to their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Phillips Set for CPL Comeback After Injury Layoff
Glenn Phillips is on track to return to competitive cricket in the CPL following a side injury that kept him out of New Zealand’s ODI series in the Caribbean and the Global Super League in Guyana. The injury occurred during the second Test against England at The Oval, where Phillips scored his maiden Test century despite the fitness concern.
His return will mark his first CPL appearance in six years, and he is expected to contribute with both bat and ball, particularly on the spin-friendly conditions found in Guyana. Amazon Warriors have further strengthened their spin options by signing Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi, who joins Phillips and Tahir in a squad built around variety in the middle overs.
Tariq’s availability for TKR still up in the air due to league overlap
Usman Tariq is currently playing for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, and with that tournament overlapping the CPL this year, his availability for all of TKR’s fixtures is still up in the air. Trinbago Knight Riders have also added Amshi de Silva, the Sri Lanka-born USA bowling allrounder who emerged as a standout performer during MLC 2026 with Texas Super Kings.
His pace and yorker execution drew attention from TKR head coach Dwayne Bravo, who also led LA Knight Riders during the MLC season. South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke rounds out the list of new additions to the TKR roster for the upcoming season.
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Other Franchises Finalize Overseas Signings for CPL 2026
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have brought in Naseem Shah, setting up a potential on-field meeting with his brother Hunain Shah, who has signed with Jamaica Kingsmen. Patriots have also retained Wanindu Hasaranga, Waqar Salamkheil and Nikhil Chaudhary, who will play alongside local legspinner Navin Bidaisee.
St Lucia Kings have brought back Tim Seifert and Noor Ahmad, pairing Noor with Maheesh Theekshana to form a strong overseas spin combination. USA seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk joins the Kings squad after helping LA Knight Riders win the MLC title earlier this season.
Barbados Tridents have retained Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, while Antigua and Barbuda Falcons have added Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim to bolster their spin attack. Shadab has represented both TKR and Amazon Warriors in past seasons, while Moqim remains a relatively unfamiliar name in Caribbean franchise cricket.
Both players will only be available for seven matches due to Shadab’s commitment to the newly launched Edinburgh Castle Rockers in the ETPL, which clashes with parts of the CPL schedule. Moeen Ali and Kusal Perera remain available to the Falcons for the entire tournament.
CPL 2026 will span eight nations for the first time, with matches scheduled across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The tournament runs from August 7 to September 20 and overlaps with the Hundred, the ETPL, and the knockout stage of the Lanka Premier League.
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