Match Center

Right then, that's all from this encounter where the Sharjah Warriors came out on top in clinical fashion to register their second straight win and are now placed second on the points table. Next up in the 2024 International League T20 is a top-versus-bottom clash as the league leaders, MI Emirates, go up against the bottom-placed Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. That game will be played on Tuesday, 30th of January and it will start at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Till then, take care, and cheers!

Maheesh Theekshana is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. His four-wicket haul paved the way for a comfortable Sharjah Warriors' win. He says that when he came to bowl in the ninth over, he aimed to contain the batters and executed the plans well and bowled crucial dot deliveries. Adds that it was a slower surface than the last game and it got better for him. Says that they have got experienced players like Chris Woakes who are doing well in the T20s across the globe. Says that they will travel to Abu Dhabi where he has a good experience bowling in the T10 and looks forward to positive games ahead.

The skipper of Sharjah Warriors, Tom Kohler-Cadmore says that he is happy with the way the boys played. The bowlers did pretty well to contain the opposition which made it easier for them to chase in the second innings. Adds that it is not the easiest track to face spinners and goes on to appreciate Mark Watt and Maheesh Theekshana for utilizing the conditions pretty well and did not give any opportunity to the Dubai batters. Further adds that everyone is chipping in and it is just about consistency. Informs that Martin Guptil is okay and will get scanned.

The captain of Dubai Capitals, David Warner says that they were just not good enough with the bat. Mentions that the wicket played a little bit different than what they thought. Credits the bowlers of Sharjah Warriors for executing well. Feels that the shot selection was not good enough and they need to be braver with the bat. Adds that they were a bit too conservative and did not put enough pressure on the bowlers. States that they will now play in Dubai where they are more confident about the conditions.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Johnson Charles receives the Green Belt as he is now the leading run-getter of the tournament. He says that it was a clinical performance with the ball and the bat. Says that is not that tough to score runs in the powerplay but sometimes it does get a bit tricky considering the opposition. He says that he is happy with the win and to contribute for the team.

Earlier in the game, it was David Warner who won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a real struggle with the bat for the Dubai Capitals, and they just could not get going. Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his intentions clear right away but perished in the second over. Ben Dunk, Sam Billings, and David Warner could not do much either. Sikandar Raza kept running out of partners at the other end and was unable to farm the strike. Roelof van der Merwe hit a few lusty blows to breathe some life into the Capitals' innings before being holed out on 21. Moreover, Raza's departure meant that the Capitals failed to bat the full quota of 20 overs, and they were bowled out for 104. As for the Sharjah Warriors, Maheesh Theekshana broke the back of the Capitals' batting unit with figures of 4 for 20 from his four overs. Daniel Sams chipped in with 3 wickets while Mark Watt and Muhammad Jawadullah took a wicket each.

On the other hand, the Dubai Capitals just did not turn up in this contest and were completely outclassed by the Sharjah Warriors. They have now lost two games in a row and have a lot to ponder ahead of their next game. Having failed to put up a show with the bat, the Capitals needed early wickets badly to stand any chance. It did not go according to plan for their new ball attack as the Warriors' openers took them on. Even though Sikandar Raza slipped in a quiet over in the Powerplay, the runs leaked from the other end, which did them no favour whatsoever. David Warner kept making changes, but to no avail, and in the end, they were handed a real drubbing by the Warriors. Despite the loss, playing in his maiden game for the Dubai Capitals, Haider Ali was one of the positives for them with the ball. He accounted for Niroshan Dickwella, but the game was a foregone conclusion by then.

As clinical as it can get! Sharjah Warriors have cruised their way to victory here and have done the double over the Dubai Capitals in the 2024 International League T20. With this comprehensive win, the Warriors have climbed to the second spot in the standings. With only 105 runs to chase, the Sharjah Warriors had the luxury of taking their time at the start. However, Niroshan Dickwella did not need any sighters and got a few boundaries away to get himself going. His opening partner, Johnson Charles, was happy to take his time and started finding boundaries after getting his eye in. The aggressor of two batters, Dickwella, could not quite see his side through and got out on 37. Charles remained unbeaten on 43, and thanks to Joe Denly's finishing touches, the Warriors got home with 6.5 overs to spare.

That's it! Johnson Charles hits the winning run. This is shorter, and slower on off, Johnson Charles waits for it and pulls it easily to deep fine leg for an easy single and helps his team cross the winning line. Sharjah Warriors win comprehensively by 9 wickets. They have now defeated the Dubai Capitals twice in this competition.

Just outside off and full, Joe Denly drives it straight to covers.

SCORES LEVEL! Full and at the stump line, Johnson Charles leans ahead and opens the face of the bat and drives to long off for a single.

Fuller and on the stump line angling into the batter, Joe Denly drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

On a length and at the off-pole, Joe Denly pushes it to point.

FOUR! Excellent cut shot! A little bit of room on offer and touch outside off, Joe Denly rocks back and cuts it nicely past backward point for a boundary.

Comes from around the wicket and bowls a low full toss on off, Johnson Charles drives it along the carpet to long off for one.