Sharjah Warriorz Boost Playoff Hopes with Victory Over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

The Sharjah Warriorz achieved a crucial victory against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, significantly boosting their playoff chances. James Rew played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 42 runs and showcasing excellent game awareness. Despite facing a challenging bowling spell from Sunil Narine, the Warriorz maintained their composure and executed their strategy effectively. Rew emphasized the importance of this win for their playoff aspirations, highlighting the team's focus on winning consecutive matches. As they prepare for their next game against the Dubai Capitals, the Warriorz aim to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of playoff qualification.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 14:35 IST

Sharjah Warriorz Secure Crucial Win

In a pivotal match of the International League T20 (ILT20), the Sharjah Warriorz enhanced their chances of reaching the playoffs by defeating the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. The Warriorz successfully chased down a challenging target, led by a composed performance from James Rew, who finished not out at 42 runs off 29 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six.

Rew's Steady Performance Under Pressure

Rew demonstrated remarkable composure throughout the chase, ensuring that the Sharjah Warriorz maintained control despite facing tough conditions. Earlier, Sunil Narine posed a significant challenge with the ball, delivering an impressive four-over spell that yielded just 14 runs and one wicket, maintaining an economy rate of 3.50. Nevertheless, the Warriorz batters exhibited patience and discipline, successfully navigating Narine's threat before capitalizing later in the innings.

Insights from James Rew on the Match

Discussing his experience against Narine, Rew remarked, "Sunil Narine bowled exceptionally well. Our strategy was to survive his spell and then apply pressure on the subsequent bowlers. Batting alongside our captain, Sikandar, was incredibly beneficial. He played powerfully and executed excellent shots that helped stabilize the run rate. I aimed to bat alongside him, run aggressively between the wickets, and extend the innings as much as possible. It was certainly a challenging task."

Adapting to Game Conditions

Rew elaborated on adjusting his gameplay to the conditions, stating, "I concentrated on running hard and keeping the ball on the ground. Attempting to hit too many sixes seemed too risky. Sikandar's speed between the wickets made batting with him enjoyable and effective. His ability to find the boundary a few times before his dismissal also contributed positively."

Significance of the Win for Playoff Aspirations

Rew acknowledged the importance of this victory in the playoff context, saying, "We discussed the need to win three consecutive matches to qualify for the playoffs. Our focus was on taking it one game at a time. This win is the first step, and we hope to maintain this momentum in the upcoming matches."

Team Experience and Future Matches

Reflecting on his time with the team, Rew expressed, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. The team has welcomed me warmly, and securing another win is very gratifying. We aim to keep this winning streak going."

Looking ahead, the Sharjah Warriorz are set to face the Dubai Capitals in their next match, as they strive to keep their playoff ambitions alive.