Sharjah, Jan 19 (NationPress) MI Emirates capitalized on Tom Banton's undefeated 102 off merely 55 balls to achieve a commanding nine-wicket victory against Sharjah Warriorz at the renowned Sharjah Cricket Stadium this Sunday during the ongoing ILT20 Season 3.

Banton, making his debut season with MI Emirates memorable, emerged as the fourth player to score a century in the tournament's history and only the second this season following Shai Hope'shistory of ILT20 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Banton's explosive innings was complemented by Kusal Perera, who contributed an unbeaten 56 off 42 deliveries, leading the team to a total of 177 in just 17.4 overs. Banton's century was marked with authority, smashing Dilshan Madushanka's short delivery over deep square leg for a gigantic six. His outstanding performance featured 10 boundaries and six sixes, while Perera's innings included six boundaries and a six.

Despite Warriorz dismissing the dangerous Muhammad Waseem for just 12 runs in the second over, their bowlers failed to threaten the solid partnership of 157 runs between Banton and Perera. A dropped catch in the 12th over by Karim Janat further compounded Warriorz' troubles just before Perera reached his half-century.

Sharjah Warriorz batted first, managing a score of 176/9 in 20 overs. MI Emirates' left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout performer with the ball, taking four wickets for 24 runs. Alzarri Joseph claimed two wickets for 39 runs, while Romario Shepherd and Waqar Salamkheil each contributed with a wicket.

Opener Jason Roy fell early, caught behind by Farooqi for 7 runs. However, Johnson Charles and Avishka Fernando steadied the innings with a brisk 50-run partnership off 27 balls. Avishka dazzled the crowd with a sensational 81 off just 27 balls in the previous match, igniting the stadium with his explosive batting, featuring three boundaries and four sixes.

Romario Shepherd eventually ended Fernando's explosive innings of 39 runs off 17 balls with a slower delivery that was mishit, leading to a catch by Muhammad Waseem.

Johnson Charles continued to anchor the innings but lost Rohan Mustafa for six runs, leaving Warriorz at a precarious 71/3. A partnership of 32 runs between Johnson and Luke Wells provided some stability until Wells fell to Alzarri Joseph with 18 runs.

Johnson was struggling to find momentum, relying mostly on singles and doubles. However, after Karim Janat joined at No. 6, Johnson accelerated his scoring, reaching his half-century in the 14th over. He was dismissed by Farooqi in the 15th over after scoring 59 runs off 42 balls, having survived an earlier drop catch.

At 140/5, Warriorz managed to reach 176/9, losing wickets at regular intervals, with no substantial contributions from the tail after Janat's exit at 18 runs.

Player of the Match, Tom Banton, remarked, "In my first eight or nine balls, I was on zero. It's amusing how cricket can be. It was a great wicket. I struggled for 25 balls. I have a better understanding of my game than a few years ago. Nicky, Polly, Robin, and everyone have been extremely supportive."

Sharjah Warriors' captain, Tim Southee, commented, "It wasn't a bad score. We were reasonably satisfied with our score at the halfway mark. Avishka has been phenomenal in his first two matches. It's great to see John at the other end, but failing to take wickets makes it challenging. Dropping catches also adds to our struggles."