ILT20 Season 3: Johnson Charles’ explosive 71 leads Sharjah Warriorz past Dubai Capitals
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Synopsis
On January 29, Johnson Charles delivered a stunning performance at the Dubai International Stadium, securing a nine-wicket win for Sharjah Warriorz in ILT20 Season 3. His rapid 71 off 33 balls paved the way for a dominant chase, keeping the Warriorz unbeaten against Dubai Capitals.
Key Takeaways
- Johnson Charles scored 71 runs off 33 balls.
- Sharjah Warriorz chased down 131 runs in 11.5 overs.
- Adam Zampa took 2 wickets for 28 runs.
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore contributed with 54 not out.
- Rohan Mustafa claimed 2 wickets for 12 runs.
Dubai, Jan 29 (NationPress) Johnson Charles set the Dubai International Stadium ablaze, steering the Sharjah Warriorz to a commanding nine-wicket triumph in ILT20 Season 3 on Tuesday night. His explosive innings of 71 runs off just 33 balls orchestrated a seamless run chase completed in a mere 11.5 overs, allowing the Warriorz to uphold their unbeaten streak against the Dubai Capitals.
The spinners delivered a pivotal performance, with Adam Zampa claiming two wickets for 28 runs in the first innings, effectively limiting the Dubai Capitals to 131/9. This result significantly boosts the Warriorz’s net run rate, positioning them strongly for a playoff spot. The powerplay transformed the chase into a formality, as Johnson Charles and Tom Kohler-Cadmore dominated the attack, achieving the highest powerplay score of the season. Together, they amassed 79 runs in just six overs, with Charles particularly devastating, smashing five towering sixes, including an astonishing 24-run over against Zahir Khan.
Charles reached his fifty in a mere 21 balls, featuring six sixes and two fours. His onslaught continued until he was dismissed by Sikandar Raza in the 11th over, finishing with three fours and an impressive eight sixes, showcasing a blend of power hitting, deft touches, and switch hits. Tom Kohler-Cadmore concluded the chase with a clever boundary off Dushmantha Chameera, ending with 54 runs from 32 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Adam Rossington blasted six boundaries and two fours during the powerplay, contributing to the Capitals’ 55 runs. Shai Hope supported Rossington until he fell to Zampa in the seventh over for 37 runs off 23 balls.
Post powerplay, the run rate plummeted. While Hope remained steady at one end, wickets fell rapidly around him, with spinners dominating the middle overs. Zampa claimed another victim, dismissing Gulbadin Naib, while captain Sikandar Raza was taken out by Ashton Agar. In the same over, Najibullah Zadran was run out, leaving the Capitals in a precarious position at 85/4 in 12 overs.
UAE’s Rohan Mustafa maintained the pressure with two wickets, exposing the tail. Hope’s innings concluded for 45 runs off 52 balls at the hands of Tim Southee in the 18th over. Rovman Powell provided a glimmer of hope with an unbeaten 32 runs from only 16 balls, highlighted by three fours and two sixes, but the Dubai Capitals ended their innings at a disappointing 131/9 in 20 overs.
Player of the Match, Johnson Charles, remarked: “They started off quickly, but I enjoy playing in Dubai as the conditions often favor my style. Ashton Agar and Rohan Mustafa bowled exceptionally well, putting pressure on the opposition. Playing alongside Ash felt nostalgic since we haven’t had many chances to team up recently.”
Brief scores:
Dubai Capitals 131/9 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 45, Adam Rossington 37, Rovman Powell 32 not out, Rohan Mustafa 2-12, Adam Zampa 2-28) lost to Sharjah Warriorz 135/1 in 11.5 overs (Johnson Charles 71, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 54 not out, Sikandar Raza 1-9) by nine wickets.
