[
]
The Sharjah Warriorz took a massive step towards the ILT20 playoffs as they jumped from sixth to third spot after their four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in Sharjah on Thursday, championed by Adam Zampa and Adam Milne’s spirited show with the ball and Johnson Charles’s half-century.
In pursuit of 162, the Warriorz started brilliantly as Charles and Tom Kohler-Cadmore launched attacked from the word go, putting together a 66-run partnership that set up the stage perfectly.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
During the fourth over, the pair hammered Ibrar Ahmad for 24 runs. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth eventually broke through, dismissing Kohler-Cadmore who was caught in the deep, having scored 39 runs off 21 balls.
Charles continued to dominate the innings, taking on all the bowlers, while Rohan Mustafa played a supporting role.
Mustafa’s innings was cut short by Sunil Narine after he had scord just five runs, causing a temporary dip in scoring rate, but Charles maintained his aggressive approach.
A lifeline was given to Charles in the 11th over when he was dropped, allowing him to reach his fifty. The following over saw another fielding lapse when Roston Chase failed to hold onto an edge from Jason Roy’s bat.
Charles appeared poised for a big knock but was dismissed by Narine after a decisive innings of 65 of 35 balls. Roy’s departure for 15 followed shortly when Jason Holder delivered a wicket maiden in the 16th over.
The Warriorz suffered a collapse as Tim Seifert (10) and Ethan D’Souza (1) were dismissed in quick succession, losing three wickets while adding merely two runs. Despite their earlier dominance, they found themselves in a challenging position at 148 for6, requiring 14 runs from 16 deliveries.
However, Ashton Agar’s calculated assault (12* off 10), comprising a six and a four, effectively managed the pressure situation and steered the Warriorz home.
Earlier, Milne provided the Sharjah Warriorz with an excellent beginning by striking early to leave the Knight Riders struggling at 29 for 2.
Andries Gous was dismissed for a golden duck and Joe Clarke was sent back for 15 after smashing Milne for three successive boundaries.
Chase navigated through some precarious moments before establishing a crucial 58-run partnership with Kyle Mayers for the third wicket. However, Zampa secured a breakthrough when Chase departed after scoring a quick 33.
Mayers took control of the Knight Riders’ innings, reaching his half-century in just 29 balls. Just when it appeared he would guide his team to a substantial total, Zampa struck again, claiming the crucial wicket of the West Indian for 56.
When Milne (3 for 33) returned to bowl in the 15th over, he immediately dismissed Narine (2). Subsequently, Zampa (3 for 27) outwitted Andre Russell, who managed only three runs, as both Warriorz bowlers enjoyed significant success.
In the closing stages, Holder (26 off 17) played an impactful innings, particularly targeting Tim Southee (0 for 39) in the 19th over where he scored 17 runs, helping the Knight Riders achieve a competitive total of 161 for 8.
[
]
Source link