News DeskABU DHABI: Sharjah Warriorz kept their playoff hopes firmly alive in Season 4 of the DP World ILT20, holding their nerve to clinch a dramatic four-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.
In a match that swung wildly between the two sides, it was James Rew’s ice-cool unbeaten 42 off 29 balls and Adil Rashid’s decisive bowling that made the difference. The victory lifts the Warriorz to six points with two games remaining, setting the stage for a tight finish to the league phase.
Chasing a modest target of 135, the Warriorz needed 12 runs off the final six balls after a superb penultimate over by Knight Riders skipper Jason Holder. However, Rew and Rashid navigated the pressure, securing the win on the very final delivery of the match.
Knight Riders collapse early Earlier in the evening, the Knight Riders’ decision to bat backfired spectacularly against the new ball. Taskin Ahmed and UAE pacer Wasim Akram ripped through the top order, reducing the hosts to a reeling 10/4 inside four overs.
Taskin removed Phil Salt and Alex Hales cheaply, while Wasim trapped Brandon McMullen LBW before delivering a historic moment. The pacer bowled the first-ever maiden over by a UAE player in the league’s history, capping it with the wicket of Liam Livingstone for a duck.
Recovery and late surge Sherfane Rutherford (44 off 36) and Alishan Sharafu (19) began a recovery job, taking the score to 28/4 by the end of the powerplay. Unmukt Chand (24) later joined Rutherford to stitch together a 52-run stand that steadied the ship.
While spin stifled the Knight Riders in the middle overs, Andre Russell and Jason Holder provided late fireworks, hammering 25 runs off Taskin in the 19th over. However, Player of the Match Adil Rashid (3-18) returned in the final over to dismiss both dangerous all-rounders, restricting Abu Dhabi to 134/9.
The Chase Sharjah’s chase got off to a rocky start with Jason Holder and Ajay Kumar removing openers Johnson Charles and Monank Patel early. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (30 off 35) anchored the innings, but Sunil Narine kept the scoring rate in check, eventually trapping Kohler-Cadmore LBW to leave the Warriorz at a precarious 58/3 at the halfway mark.
Sikandar Raza (28 off 25) and Rew then combined for a vital 57-run partnership. Although Raza fell in the 18th over, Rew struck crucial boundaries and rotated the strike brilliantly to guide his team home.
Post-match reactions Player of the Match Adil Rashid credited his experience for the death-bowling performance. “It was pleasing to contribute in a situation where things could easily have gone the other way,” Rashid said. “Having played against Jason and Andre for a long time does help — they’re world-class players — but thankfully the plans came off for me.”
Disappointed Knight Riders skipper Jason Holder lamented the early collapse. “We didn’t put enough runs on the board, although full credit goes to our bowlers for the way they fought,” Holder said. “We needed a few moments to go our way, particularly keeping wickets intact during the powerplay.”
Brief Scores
Sharjah Warriorz beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 4 wickets
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 134/9 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 44, Unmukt Chand 24; Adil Rashid 3-18, Wasim Akram 2-12, Taskin Ahmed 2-41).
Sharjah Warriorz: 135/6 in 20 overs (James Rew 42*, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30, Sikandar Raza 28; Jason Holder 2-25, Ajay Kumar 2-29).
Player of the Match: Adil Rashid (Sharjah Warriorz)
