Johnson Charles leads Sharjah Warriorz to six-run victory over MI Emirates

Sharjah Warriorz produced a well-rounded performance to secure their first win of the DP World ILT20 Season 4, edging past MI Emirates by six runs at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The victory was built on a strong batting effort from Johnson Charles and a disciplined bowling display from the Warriorz attack.

Charles set the tone with a composed 77 off 53 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the Warriorz posted 174 for 3. Tom Kohler-Cadmore supported with 30 runs, while stand-in skipper Sikander Raza contributed 29 off 22. The pair put together a solid platform, helping the team recover after a cautious powerplay start. Charles brought up his half-century off Rashid Khan in the tenth over, and Kohler-Cadmore rotated strike effectively to keep the momentum. In the death overs, Raza and James Rew added crucial runs to take the total to a competitive 175.



MI Emirates started well, with Jonny Bairstow (31 off 23) and Muhammad Waseem (44 off 29) putting on a brisk 54-run opening stand inside six overs. Waseem struck a six off Taskin Ahmed and both batters found regular boundaries off Maheesh Theekshana. However, the middle overs proved costly as Sikander Raza and Junaid Siddique struck key blows. Raza removed Bairstow and Waseem, while Siddique accounted for Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd in quick succession, leaving MI Emirates struggling.

Needing 25 runs off the final over, Nicholas Pooran threatened to snatch victory with three sixes, but Siddique held his nerve, conceding only 18 runs. MI Emirates finished on 168 for 5, falling short by six runs.

MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard praised his side’s fightback but acknowledged the team had lost momentum in the middle overs. Sikander Raza said the team remained confident throughout, adapting to a slow surface and ensuring they crossed the line in a crunch game.

Sharjah Warriorz 174/3 (Johnson Charles 77, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 30, Sikander Raza 29; Rashid Khan 1 for 22)
MI Emirates 168/5 (Nicholas Pooran 48 not out, Muhammad Waseem 44, Jonny Bairstow 31; Sikander Raza 2 for 15, Junaid Siddique 2 for 35)

Player of the match: Sikander Raza


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