By Anas Ahmed 
The Sharjah Warriorz delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night, overwhelming the Dubai Capitals by nine wickets at the Dubai International Stadium in the ILT20. Led by Johnson Charles’ stunning knock of 71 off just 33 balls, the Warriorz chased down the modest target of 132 in only 11.5 overs, solidifying their playoff ambitions with a much-needed net run rate boost.
Charles’ Fiery Innings
Johnson Charles set the tone early with an innings that showcased his signature power hitting. Smashing eight sixes and three fours, Charles reached his half-century in just 21 balls, tearing into the Capitals’ bowling attack. His aggressive onslaught included a 24-run over off Zahir Khan, leaving the opposition scrambling for answers. Charles’ dismissal in the 11th over, courtesy of Sikandar Raza, did little to derail the Warriorz, as Tom Kohler-Cadmore finished the job with an unbeaten 54 off 32 balls.
The Warriorz achieved their highest powerplay score of the season, amassing 79 runs in six overs. Kohler-Cadmore provided steady support, hitting eight boundaries and two sixes, wrapping up the chase in style.
Zampa and Spin Dominate
Earlier, Sharjah’s bowlers, particularly Adam Zampa, laid the foundation for the win. Zampa’s crafty figures of 2/28 stifled the Capitals’ momentum during the middle overs. UAE’s Rohan Mustafa and Ashton Agar further tightened the screws, claiming crucial wickets and applying relentless pressure.
Adam Rossington gave the Capitals a bright start with a quickfire 37 off 23 balls, but his dismissal by Zampa marked the turning point. Shai Hope (45 off 52 balls) anchored the innings but struggled to accelerate as wickets fell regularly. A late cameo from Rovman Powell (32* off 16 balls) added some respectability to the scorecard, but the Capitals could only muster 131/9 in their 20 overs.
Post-Match Reactions
Johnson Charles, named Player of the Match, expressed his delight:
“I love playing in Dubai. The conditions suit my style, and the team did a fantastic job, especially the spinners. It felt great to contribute to this win.”
Dubai Capitals captain Sikandar Raza reflected on his side’s struggles:
“We needed to be more innovative with our shot selection. Johnson Charles was exceptional, and credit to Sharjah for an outstanding performance. We’ll regroup and aim to bounce back.”
Brief Scores
Dubai Capitals 131/9 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 45, Adam Rossington 37, Rovman Powell 32 not out, Rohan Mustafa 2 for 12, Adam Zampa 2 for 28)
Sharjah Warriorz 135/1 in 11.5 overs (Johnson Charles 71, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 54 not out, Sikandar Raza 1 for 9)
Result: Sharjah Warriorz beat Dubai Capitals by nine wickets
Zainab Shafiq