Dubai, UAE – In a gripping match at Dubai, the Sharjah Warriors secured a remarkable victory against the Dubai Capitals with a 5-wicket win. The hero of the day, Johnson Charles, played a stellar innings, scoring 93 runs and earning the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.
Dubai Capitals, opting to bat first, posted a challenging total of 170 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Sam Billings top-scored with 52 runs, and Sikandar Raza contributed 48 runs. The fourth-wicket partnership between Billings and Raza added 81 runs, rescuing their team from a slow start.
In response, the Warriors faced early setbacks, losing opener Martin Guptill for 2 and skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 3. However, Johnson Charles emerged as the savior, forming crucial partnerships with Lewis Gregory (16) and Basil Hameed (24n.o). Despite Charles falling just seven runs short of a century, Hameed and Daniel Sams guided the team to victory with seven balls to spare.
Dushmantha Chameera’s impressive performance, picking four wickets for 28 runs, couldn’t prevent the Capitals from facing defeat. Charles’ explosive innings and Chameera’s efforts were the highlights of the match.
Reflecting on his outstanding knock, Johnson Charles emphasized the importance of a good start in the powerplay, praising the pitch’s bounce. Meanwhile, Capitals’ skipper David Warner attributed the loss to the toss and acknowledged leaving some runs on the table.
Brief Scores:
- Dubai Capitals: 170 for 7 in 20 overs (Sam Billings 52, Sikandar Raza 48, Daniel Sams 3 for 28)
- Sharjah Warriors: 171 for 5 in 18.5 overs (Johnson Charles 93, Basil Hameed 24n.o, Dushmantha Chameera 4 for 28)
Player of the Match: Johnson Charles