The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will honour the late Sir Garfield Sobers with a minute’s applause before the first match at each tournament venue during the 2026 season.
The tribute will be held once in every host country as the tournament travels across the Caribbean, giving supporters throughout the region an opportunity to pay their respects to the Barbadian cricket legend.
CPL said the gesture will allow fans to publicly celebrate the life and legacy of a man widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history.
Sir Garfield died on July 17 at his home in Saint Michael, Barbados, at the age of 89.
During a distinguished international career spanning two decades from 1954 to 1974, he played 93 Test matches for the West Indies, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, while taking 235 wickets.
His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 remained the highest individual score in Test cricket for 36 years.
He also became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket when he achieved the feat for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan in 1968.
Sobers captained the West Indies between 1965 and 1972.
Republic Bank CPL Chief Executive Officer Pete Russell said Sobers’ influence extended far beyond his statistics.
“Sir Garfield Sobers did not just play cricket, he defined what was possible in the sport. He gave West Indies cricket its identity on the world stage and inspired generations of players across the region to believe in their own greatness. It is only fitting that every ground we play on this season pauses to honour him.”
CPL said it also plans to recognise Sir Garfield’s contribution to West Indies and world cricket throughout the tournament, including at the final, which will be played at his home ground, Kensington Oval in Barbados.
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