Match 3, , January 12, 2025, 07:30 PM
Gulf Giants
174/7(20.0ov)
Sharjah Warriorz
175/7(20.0ov)
Sharjah Warriorz beat Gulf Giants by 3 wickets
Win Projections to be updated soon
Right then, that brings an end to the action from the first double-header day of the third edition of ILT20. Earlier in the day, in Abu Dhabi, the Desert Vipers got past the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and then under the Dubai night sky, the Sharjah Warriorz triumphed in a last-ball humdinger. We couldn't have asked for a better opening weekend, with two out of the first three games going down to the final ball. Next up in the 2025 ILT20 is an exciting contest on Monday, 13th January, where MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals, who delivered a thrilling last-ball finish on opening night, face off again, this time in Abu Dhabi. The first ball will be bowled at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) but as always, you can join us much earlier for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!
Tom Kohler-Cadmore is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his batting heroics. He says that it is nice to get the win. Adds that he would have been devastated had he not been able to take the team over the line. Appreciates Aayan Khan for the way he bowled and adds that Aayan did not miss by much. States that he backed himself to get one six away and twos were always available with one side slightly bigger. Tells that this was a good cricket wicket with the ball darting around early on but once you are set, you can unleash the big shots.
Tim Southee, the Sharjah Warriorz captain, says that It is nice to be on the winning side. Adds that it was a good game overall. Informs that they trained well in the last couple of days which was helpful. Mentions that it got nervy in the end but TKC batted brilliantly to take them home. Mentions that they have a deep batting line up but the pressure comes in if you lose a few wickets. Concludes that the ball swung around which was good to see.
James Vince, the skipper of Gulf Giants says that he was happy at the halfway mark with how the team batted and the missed chance of TKC proved to be a lot eventually. Appreciates the way Tom batted and says that for a player of his class, they need to take everything that comes their way. Concludes that it was a difficult pitch for spinners and they wanted to try Aayan Khan who has done so well for them over the years and he did a pretty good job.
Time for the presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, the Sharjah Warriorz won the toss and opted to field first. The Giants found themselves in early trouble, as batting against the new ball has been challenging so far in the tournament. Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox steadied the innings with a vital partnership, setting up a platform for the death overs. Late contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Mark Adair powered the Giants to 174, with 46 runs coming off the final 3 overs. Â For the Warriorz, skipper Tim Southee was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 30 from his 4 overs, although he took a bit of a tap in his final over.
He needed stability at the other end, and he got that in the form of Adil Rashid, whose calm head and experience provided the perfect support. Having dropped TKC on 20, Mills was handed the ball with 24 needed off 12 balls, giving him a chance to redeem himself. However, he was all over the place with his lines and lengths, crumbling under the pressure. This allowed TKC and Rashid to capitalize and guide their team closer to the target.
In their chase of 175, the Warriorz were rocked early by Daniel Worrall and Mark Adair, leaving them on the back foot. Similar to the Giants' innings, a recovery ensued, spearheaded by Tom Kohler-Cadmore with Rohan Mustafa for company. Kohler-Cadmore played the aggressor, regularly finding the boundaries to keep the chase on track. However, a promising position at 119/2 quickly unravelled to 127/5 and then 148/7, with TKC running out of support at the other end.
Phew! Two last-ball thrillers on consecutive nights! Like the MI Emirates, the Sharjah Warriorz made it harder for themselves than it needed to be. The difference? A composed Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who stayed unbeaten till the very end to guide his team over the line. Spare a thought for the young Aayan Khan, tasked with defending 9 runs against a set TKC. Aayan nailed 3 out of his 6 balls, but the margin for error was so slim that the few deliveries where he missed his mark were enough for the English batter to take his side past the finish line.
In over# 20
2
0
6
2
0
0
Aayan Khan 10/0(1)
19.6
2
Tom Kohler-Cadmore does it! Sharjah Warriorz win by 3 wickets! Aayan Khan serves a full toss, following the batter who makes a bit of room down the leg side. TKC whips it to long on and scampers for the second run. The fielder throws the ball to the keeper but TKC makes it in. A sharper throw could've been a close call.
Now then, 2 needed off the final ball. 1 will take us to a Super Over.
19.5
.
A DOT! It's all happening here. Fancy a superover? Fires it in, full and on middle, TKC taps it back to the bowler.
19.4
6
SIX! Tom Kohler-Cadmore knew he could clear it and he waited just for this ball. A low full toss, on middle, TKC clubs it straight down the ground for a biggie. Sharjah Warriorz need 2 more runs off 2 balls.
19.3
2
Full, at the stumps, Tom Kohler-Cadmore drills it straight down the ground back to the bowler. It gets parried away to long on off the bowler's and the batters take two runs. 8 off 3 needed now.
19.2
.
Tossed up, outside off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore looks to drill it straight down the ground but plays well within the line. 10 needed off 4 balls now.
19.1
.
Full toss, on off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore whips it to deep cover but refuses the single.
Who will bowl the final over? 10 runs needed off 6 balls. James Vince has placed his trust in the 19-year-old left-arm spinner from the UAE, Aayan Khan. Last night, it was 20-year-old Farhan Khan who held his nerve for the Dubai Capitals. Can Aayan rise to the occasion and make this his night?
In over# 19
1
0
4
1
1wd
0
1wd
6
Tymal Mills 37/1(4)