Johnson Charles’ explosive 71 runs in 33 balls and a strong partnership with Tom Kohler-Cadmore propel the Warriorz to a nine-wicket win, keeping their playoff aspirations intact.
In a stunning display of batting prowess, Sharjah Warriorz kept their playoff hopes alive with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 on Tuesday. Johnson Charles’ explosive 71 runs from just 33 balls, combined with Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s unbeaten 54, led the Warriorz to a flawless run chase, reaching the target of 132 in only 11.5 overs.
The chase got off to a scorching start, with Charles and Kohler-Cadmore dominating the powerplay. Their remarkable partnership, which set the highest powerplay score of the season, saw the pair plunder 79 runs in the first six overs. Charles, in particular, was in devastating form, hitting five sixes and taking a special liking to Zahir Khan, who was struck for a 24-run over.
With the chase well within reach, Charles reached his fifty in just 21 balls, including six sixes and two fours. His onslaught continued until he was dismissed by Dubai Capitals’ captain Sikandar Raza in the 11th over, having struck a total of eight sixes and three fours. Despite his departure, Kohler-Cadmore remained steady at the other end, guiding the Warriorz to victory.
The dominant batting display overshadowed the bowling efforts from Dubai Capitals, who struggled to find their rhythm. Adam Zampa was the standout bowler for Sharjah, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs, while Rohan Mustafa’s economical 2 for 12 also helped restrict Dubai Capitals to a modest 131/9 in their 20 overs.
In response, Dubai Capitals’ captain Raza expressed disappointment with his team’s batting performance, highlighting their lack of aggression and innovative shots. He acknowledged Charles’ outstanding performance, admitting it was difficult to bowl against such explosive batting.
With the win, Sharjah Warriorz kept their hopes of a playoff berth alive, while Dubai Capitals now face the challenge of bouncing back in their remaining games.
Brief Scores: Dubai Capitals: 131/9 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 45, Adam Rossington 37, Rovman Powell 32*; Rohan Mustafa 2 for 12, Adam Zampa 2 for 28) Sharjah Warriorz: 135/1 in 11.5 overs (Johnson Charles 71, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 54*; Sikandar Raza 1 for 9)
