Sharjah Warriorz Triumph Over Gulf Giants in Thrilling ILT20 Clash
Warriorz Secure Victory with Strong All-Round Display
In a gripping encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, the Sharjah Warriorz showcased a remarkable all-round performance, defeating the Gulf Giants by 11 runs. Tom Abell's stellar batting in the middle overs, combined with Matheesha Pathirana's crucial wickets, led the Warriorz to their second consecutive win in ILT20 Season 4, according to a press release from the tournament organizers.
Abell scored an impressive 68 runs off 41 deliveries, featuring five fours and three sixes, which helped the Warriorz set a challenging target of 174/6. Pathirana and Wasim Akram each took three wickets, providing essential breakthroughs that secured the much-needed victory.
The Giants faced early setbacks as Akram and Taskin Ahmed dismissed Pathum Nissanka (3 off 4) and James Vince (0 off 6) respectively, putting them under pressure. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (30 off 15) attempted to counterattack but was halted by Pathirana, who bowled a wicket-maiden with a cleverly disguised slower ball. With Kyle Mayers (0 off 2) also falling cheaply, the Giants found themselves struggling at 44/4 during the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 26) provided some momentum for the Giants after the early collapse, effectively countering through the middle overs. He consistently found the boundary and rotated the strike well, forming a crucial partnership with Moeen Ali (45 off 41). However, their 79-run partnership was broken by Akram, who forced Omarzai to catch out at long-off.
Ali took on the responsibility of anchoring the innings, maintaining composure while choosing the right moments to accelerate. Despite his efforts, the Giants entered the final five overs at 124/5, needing 51 runs from 30 balls.
The Warriorz maintained their composure in the death overs, striking at pivotal moments to thwart the chase. Pathirana dismissed Matthew Forde (7 off 5) and Ali, while Dwaine Pretorius contributed with key wickets of Asif Khan (5 off 4) and Liam Dawson (6 off 9) in the closing stages. The steady fall of wickets allowed the Warriorz to secure the match, restricting the Giants to 163/9.
With the bat, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (6 off 7) showed early aggression before falling to Fred Klaassen, but the Warriorz quickly regained momentum through Abell. The right-hander shifted the momentum in the fourth over, smashing 19 runs off Klaassen to elevate the scoring rate. Johnson Charles (12 off 12) struggled to find his rhythm during the power play and was dismissed by Forde in the final over, leaving the Warriorz at 54/2.
Abell then took on the role of anchor, guiding the innings through the middle overs with calmness. He effectively rotated the strike, ensuring the scoreboard kept moving despite early wickets. James Rew (39 off 33) provided solid support, quickly settling in and matching Abell's pace. Abell reached his half-century off 32 balls, showcasing his control before being caught out by Asif Khan, ending a 71-run partnership.
Although Rew fell shortly after, the Warriorz finished strongly with Dwaine Pretorius (28 off 13) delivering a late surge. Ethan D'Souza (8* off 5) added a quick cameo, and despite Pretorius being run out late, the Warriorz posted a competitive total of 174/6.
Matheesha Pathirana, named Player of the Match, remarked, "The last few months have been tough, but I've been working hard and am gradually finding my rhythm. I'm not at my peak yet, but I'm improving, and this performance boosts my confidence. It's also encouraging to see Sri Lankan players excelling in T20 cricket with a World Cup approaching at home. For now, I'm focusing on my process and staying calm."
Sikander Raza, the stand-in captain for the Warriorz, stated, "We've been close in recent matches, and winning those crucial moments makes all the difference. We're getting things right, but there's still room for improvement, especially in the powerplay, which has been a concern for us. Full credit to Pathirana, Taskin, and all our seamers."
Brief Scores:
Sharjah Warriorz beat Gulf Giants by 11 runs
Sharjah Warriorz 174/6 off 20 overs (Tom Abell 68, James Rew 39, Dwaine Pretorius 28, Chris Wood 2 for 26)
Gulf Giants 163/9 off 20 overs (Moeen Ali 45, Azmatullah Omarzai 41, Matheesha Pathirana 3 for 19, Wasim Akram 3 for 34)
Player of the Match: Matheesha Pathirana.