194/9 (20.0)
CR : 9.70
233/4 (20.0)
CR : 11.65
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won by 39 runs
Player of the Match
L Livingstone
82(38)
ADKR won by 39 runs
11:47 PM IST, 10:17 PM Local Time: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have given a thumping defeat to Sharjah Warriorz as they find their first victory of the tournament and set the tournament on fire on the back of a superb performance from Liam Livingstone, and they have won by 39 runs.
Earlier in the evening, Sharjah Warriorz won the toss and opted to bowl first. Alex Hales, started on a real positive tone, building a partnership and finding the gaps. He added 32 runs off 19 balls, with 2 fours and 3 sixes. He was assisted by Alishan Sharafu from the other end, as the two built a partnership, setting the foundation of a rocking second half.
Sherfane Rutherford and Liam Livingstone set the stage on fire in the second half of the inning, blasting the bowlers around. Sherfane scored 45 runs off 27 balls, with 3 fours and 3 sixes. While on the other hand, Liam Livingstone, smashed 82 runs off 38 balls, with 2 fours and 8 monstrous sixes taking Dwaine Pretorius to the cleaners in the final over.
It was not particularly the best day out for the Sharjah Bowlers as they conceded 233 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Dwaine Pretorius conceded 69 runs in his 4 overs, but Adil Rashid and Saurabh Netravalkar were the pick of the bowlers for Sharjah Warriorz. Rashid gave 31 runs in his 4 overs for 2 wickets and Saurabh Netravalkar only gave 33 runs in his 4 overs for a wicket.
The target to chase was 234 for the Sharjah batters and the new ball turned out to be a killer for them. Ajay Kumar bowled exceptionally well, bowling three overs upfront and gave only 22 runs in his 4 overs and took the massive wicket of Tim David later in the innings.
The Warriorz had a tough time batting as well, as the new ball swung for the pacers and turned for the spinners. Wickets kept falling in quick intervals, but the ship was steadied for a brief moment by the Goliath from Perth, Tim David. He added 60 runs in 24 balls, after getting a lifeline, where he smashed 2 fours and 7 sixes. Later in the innings, Dwaine Pretorius gathered some courage and came out with long levers to avenge himself with the bat in hand. He added 39 runs off 20 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Adil Rashid pulled his strings together in the later stage of the contest but it was too late by then.
Sunil Narine had a great outing with the ball, where he took a wicket and gave only 22 runs in 4 overs. Though, the pick of the bowlers was definitely, Ajay Kumar, with the identical numbers but bowling in the powerplay and setting things up for the rest of the team to follow.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have won the contest by 39 runs and have found their first win of the tournament early on, but for Sharjah Warriorz, this will be a game that they would like to forget.
Earlier in the evening, Sharjah Warriorz won the toss and opted to bowl first. Alex Hales, started on a real positive tone, building a partnership and finding the gaps. He added 32 runs off 19 balls, with 2 fours and 3 sixes. He was assisted by Alishan Sharafu from the other end, as the two built a partnership, setting the foundation of a rocking second half.
Sherfane Rutherford and Liam Livingstone set the stage on fire in the second half of the inning, blasting the bowlers around. Sherfane scored 45 runs off 27 balls, with 3 fours and 3 sixes. While on the other hand, Liam Livingstone, smashed 82 runs off 38 balls, with 2 fours and 8 monstrous sixes taking Dwaine Pretorius to the cleaners in the final over.
It was not particularly the best day out for the Sharjah Bowlers as they conceded 233 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Dwaine Pretorius conceded 69 runs in his 4 overs, but Adil Rashid and Saurabh Netravalkar were the pick of the bowlers for Sharjah Warriorz. Rashid gave 31 runs in his 4 overs for 2 wickets and Saurabh Netravalkar only gave 33 runs in his 4 overs for a wicket.
The target to chase was 234 for the Sharjah batters and the new ball turned out to be a killer for them. Ajay Kumar bowled exceptionally well, bowling three overs upfront and gave only 22 runs in his 4 overs and took the massive wicket of Tim David later in the innings.
The Warriorz had a tough time batting as well, as the new ball swung for the pacers and turned for the spinners. Wickets kept falling in quick intervals, but the ship was steadied for a brief moment by the Goliath from Perth, Tim David. He added 60 runs in 24 balls, after getting a lifeline, where he smashed 2 fours and 7 sixes. Later in the innings, Dwaine Pretorius gathered some courage and came out with long levers to avenge himself with the bat in hand. He added 39 runs off 20 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Adil Rashid pulled his strings together in the later stage of the contest but it was too late by then.
Sunil Narine had a great outing with the ball, where he took a wicket and gave only 22 runs in 4 overs. Though, the pick of the bowlers was definitely, Ajay Kumar, with the identical numbers but bowling in the powerplay and setting things up for the rest of the team to follow.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have won the contest by 39 runs and have found their first win of the tournament early on, but for Sharjah Warriorz, this will be a game that they would like to forget.
Time for post-match presentations...
Tim Southee (Sharjah Warriorz Captain): "We were a bit off with the ball and then in the field. Credit to the Knight Riders. Yorkers and slower deliveries are difficult to execute. Unfortunately, we couldn't bowl them consistently well tonight. We knew ADKR had a dangerous batting line-up with the likes of Liam Livingstone, and we needed wickets to stop them from getting off to a flyer but we couldn't do that today."
Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders): "Yeah I think it is pretty good. The way we batted first, with Halesy, and then from Rutherford and Livingstone.
I genuinely practice a lot, but it is important to stick to what you have learnt. Ajay was excellent in the powerplay, bowling three overs up front. He has great slower ones and he is an exceptional bowler."
I genuinely practice a lot, but it is important to stick to what you have learnt. Ajay was excellent in the powerplay, bowling three overs up front. He has great slower ones and he is an exceptional bowler."
Player of the Match: Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone (POTM): "I was a bit scratchy early on and then started to find my rhythm. I targeted my areas. This ground has one shorter side. Pick your bowlers and pick your ends. At the back-end of the innings, you start hitting at both sides of the ground. I am sure that at some point in this tournament, you will see Andre Russell firing with the bat."
Top 5 highest wicket takers in T20s:
1. Rashid Khan - 681 Wickets (499 Matches)
2. DJ Bravo - 631 Wickets (582 Matches)
3. Sunil Narine - 600 Wickets (568 Matches)*
4. Imran Tahir - 570 Wickets (446 Matches)
5. Shakib Al Hasan - 504 Wickets (462 Matches)
1. Rashid Khan - 681 Wickets (499 Matches)
2. DJ Bravo - 631 Wickets (582 Matches)
3. Sunil Narine - 600 Wickets (568 Matches)*
4. Imran Tahir - 570 Wickets (446 Matches)
5. Shakib Al Hasan - 504 Wickets (462 Matches)
Highest innings total in ILT20 tournament:
241/3 by MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers (Jan 2023)
233/4 by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz (Dec 2025)*
228/2 by MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers (Jan 2025)
222/3 by Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates (Jan 2023)
219/4 by Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Jan 2023)
241/3 by MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers (Jan 2023)
233/4 by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz (Dec 2025)*
228/2 by MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers (Jan 2025)
222/3 by Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates (Jan 2023)
219/4 by Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Jan 2023)
That's it from our coverage of this ILT20 game. This is Mohammad Anab signing off on behalf of my colleagues Utsav Chandak, Manan Mehta, Deepak Prakash and Sachin Yadav. Cheers.