ADKR VS SW MATCH 25

Right then, that's all from this game, where the Sharjah Warriors registered a clinical win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Next up in the 2024 International League T20, it will be the league leaders, MI Emirates, going up against the defending champions, Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. That game will be played on Thursday, 8th of February and it will start at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Till then, take care, and cheers!

Adil Rashid is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding spell with the ball. He took 4 for 12 from four overs, the best figures of this edition of the International League T20 so far. He says the seamers set things up nicely at the start which helped him and the others to chip in. Adds that he was trying to vary it and bowled slower at times. He further adds that some days it works and some days it doesn't and luckily for him, it worked well in this game.

The skipper of Sharjah Warriors, Tom Kohler-Cadmore says that it feels good to bounce back and finish relatively comfortably. Mention that every time he has played here, it has been good to bat on. Adds that when Adil Rashid came in to bowl, they understood that spin was the way to go. States that they have got many spin options and it was nice to get it right with the ball. Ends by saying that despite their poor net run rate, their focus was on winning.

Sunil Narine, the captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders says the first 6 to 8 overs where they lost wickets put them on the backfoot but credits his side for the fight they gave until the end. He adds that in the middle over while they were batting, the ball was spinning sharp and they had to adjust well which they failed to do.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after being put into bat, it was a dismal display from the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. They were dealt an early blow in the form of Joe Clarke. Alishan Sharafu and Michael Pepper joined hands to give their side a good start. The duo took their time initially before getting a few boundaries towards the end of the Powerplay. Just as they were beginning to lay a platform, both departed in the space of three balls to Adil Rashid. It all went downhill for the Knight Riders after that, as they failed the trial by spin from the Warriors. It was a real capitulation, which saw them bowled out for a paltry total of 94. For the Sharjah Warriors, Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 4 for 12 from his overs, including a maiden.

On the other hand, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were the favourites coming into the game, more so given their recent success over the Sharjah Warriors. However, a no-show with the bat resulted in them losing the game in the first half. That said, they would have been hopeful at the halfway mark, given the assistance offered by the surface to the spinners. In what was a surprising move, Sunil Narine started with pace from both ends and even though Joshua Little struck early, the Warriors' batters were allowed to have it their way at the start. Brought on as the first change, Imad Wasim accounted for Liam Livingstone and Niroshan Dickwella, but the game was a foregone conclusion by then.

Sharjah Warriors have brilliantly avenged their defeat against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders! In a remarkable turnaround, the Warriors, who were recently on the receiving end of a drubbing, have now turned the tables with style. With only 95 runs to chase, the Sharjah Warriors had a great opportunity to drastically improve their lowly net run rate. In a quest to do so, the skipper, Tom Kohler-Cadmore decided to open the innings alongside Niroshan Dickwella. That move did not work out for the Warriors' captain, as he dragged one back onto the stumps early. Niroshan Dickwella and Liam Livingstone made their intentions clear right away and did not let the bowlers dictate the terms. As spinners came on, Livingstone and Dickwella fell, which slowed their way to victory, but by then it was a matter of when rather than if. The Super Sub, Martin Guptill batted through with Joe Denly to take the Warriors home with just over six overs to spare in what was a must-win game for them.

That will do it. A very good victory this for the Warriors. Tossed up on middle, Joe Denly works it in front of deep square leg and takes the single. The Warriors have finally snapped their losing streak in convincing fashion, exacting revenge for their previous defeat against the Knight Riders with an emphatic victory.

Drops it short and on off, Joe Denly miscues his cut to fine leg for a couple of runs. Scores are level!

Floats one fuller on middle, Martin Guptill drills it straight. The bowler dives to his left and gets a hand on it. The ball trickles further down and the batters get a single.

Bowls it short again on off, Joe Denly rocks back and cuts it with power to Ravi Bopara at short cover. He manages to get a hand and stop the ball but the batters get a single. Ravi Bopara is walking off the pitch as he seems to have hurt his finger.

Starts from over the wicket and bowls it short and wider of off, Joe Denly cuts it straight into the hands of short cover.

Fuller on off, Martin Guptill defends it on the front foot.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Joe Denly flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Quicker and fuller on off, Martin Guptill cuts it to deep point for one.

Slower one on middle, Joe Denly works it on the on side for a single.