ILT20 | Twitter reacts as Johnson Charles bonanza propels Warriors to five-wicket win over Dubai Capitals

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Sharjah Warriors trundled home in a chase of 171 against Dubai Capitals in Dubai on Monday with seven balls to spare. A largely toothless batting performance, further haunted by Dushmanth Chameera's 4/28, was saved its graces by Johnson Charles' explosive boundary-laden knock of 93.

‌After being asked to bat first, Dubai Capitals got off to a horrid start as both David Warner and Rahmanullah Gurbaaz struggled to race off the blocks. Both eventually fell victim to Daniel Sams while Jake-Fraser McGurk's 14-run blitz was shortlived to leave the team reeling at 51/3 midway through the ninth over. However, Sikandar Raza and Sam Billings quickly shifted the momentum of the game with some flamboyant shotmaking, the former playing the role of aggressor. The partnership reached 81 in just 44 balls but Sams proved decisive again as he halted Raza two runs short of a half-century, ending his 23-ball stay with a deceptive slower ball. Billings, on the other hand, did end up getting to his fifty off 28 balls and his effort combined with a quick cameo from Jason Holder ensured the Capitals got to a fighting total of 170/7 in their 20 overs.
Much like their rivals, Sharjah Warrior's chase suffered several early setbacks with Dushmanth Chameera at the heart of the action. The Sri Lankan quick first ran out super-sub Martin Guptill in the second over before scalping Tom Kohler-Cadmore and compatriot Niroshan Dickwella in the powerplay. However, despite the hiccups at the other end, Johnson Charles wreaked havoc with usual flamboyant shotmaking. The Windies opener cleared the fences and found the boundary for fun, putting up a rapid 71-run stand for the fourth wicket with Lewis Gregory even though the Englishman just contributed 16 runs in 25 balls. Chameera once again broke through with Gregory's wicket and then sounded Charles the death rattle too in the 17th over, ending his knock of 93 off 51 deliveries laced with eight boundaries and six maximums. However, it proved to be too little too late as the equation by then read a modest 27 required off 23 balls. Basil Hameed (24*) and Daniel Sams (16*) eventually sealed the chase in the penultimate over to ensure the Warriors open their account for the season after a loss in the opener.

Good performance

Destroyer

Boom boom

Smashed

Some fireworks

Big ball

Superb

Why not Six Storm?

Very far

Brutal

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