Aayal QureshiSharjah, UAE – The Desert Vipers delivered a commanding performance to secure an emphatic eight-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriorz at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Powered by an unbeaten 128-run partnership between Alex Hales and Sam Curran, the Vipers chased down the target of 152 in just 14.5 overs to edge closer to a playoff berth in the ongoing tournament.
Alex Hales, who smashed an explosive 77 not out off 38 balls, was at his destructive best. Hales brought up his half-century in just 36 balls, featuring seven boundaries and five massive sixes. His partner, Sam Curran, matched the intensity with a quickfire 54 not out off 33 balls, striking two sixes and five fours. The duo dismantled the Warriorz bowling attack, making light work of the chase after early jitters.
The Warriorz initially had the upper hand when Adam Milne struck twice in the first four overs, removing Fakhar Zaman and Dan Lawrence. However, Hales and Curran wrestled back control with their aggressive yet calculated partnership. The pair shifted gears in the middle overs, with Hales taking Muhammad Jawadullah apart in the 13th over, and Curran delivering the finishing blows by hammering Tim Southee and Adam Zampa.
Earlier in the match, Sharjah Warriorz posted a total of 151/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Jason Roy was the standout performer, scoring a fluent 55 off 38 balls. He was ably supported by skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 42 runs off 36 balls. The duo stitched a vital 50-run partnership but struggled to find support from the rest of the batting lineup.
The Desert Vipers’ bowlers, led by Khuzaima Tanveer, proved to be the key difference. Tanveer produced a sensational spell, claiming four wickets for 22 runs, which included crucial dismissals of Tim Seifert, Rohan Mustafa, Luke Wood, and Tim Southee. David Payne also chipped in with two wickets, removing both openers early in the innings.
Despite some resistance in the middle overs, the Warriorz faltered in the death, losing wickets in clusters. Ashton Agar’s brief cameo of 15 runs off nine balls helped push the total past 150, but it proved insufficient against the Vipers’ batting might.
Player of the Match, Khuzaima Tanveer, expressed his delight, stating: “Whenever I play cricket, I truly enjoy it without feeling any pressure. The captain gave me a clear plan to hit the deck hard, and I simply executed it, which led to taking wickets. Overall, I’m really enjoying my time out there.”
Warriorz captain Tim Southee admitted his team’s shortcomings, saying, “We got ourselves into a good position but lost too many wickets in the back half. We’ve shown glimpses of quality but haven’t been able to string enough together. With four games left, the equation is pretty simple. On a positive note, it was great to see Jason Roy back in form.”
Brief Scores:
- Sharjah Warriorz: 151/8 in 20 overs (Jason Roy 55, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 42; Khuzaima Tanveer 4/22, David Payne 2/33)
- Desert Vipers: 152/2 in 14.5 overs (Alex Hales 77, Sam Curran 54; Adam Milne 2/17)
The Desert Vipers’ dominant win highlights their growing momentum as they edge closer to the playoffs, while the Warriorz will need a strong resurgence in their remaining matches to stay in contention.
