Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana stood out with a four-wicket haul as Sharjah Warriors beat Dubai Capitals by nine wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on January 29 in the ILT20 2024 clash. Capitals’ skipper David Warner’s poor form with the bat continued as he contributed to the collapse after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz got off the mark with a six but in the next over got bowled by Scotland's left-arm spinner Mark Watt. Ben Dunk hit Daniel Sams for a six and then lost his wicket the next ball. After powerplay overs, Dubai Capitals were 35/2. Warner struggled for boundaries and lost his wicket to a slower delivery from Muhammad Jawadullah.
Theekshana was introduced in the ninth over and he dismissed Sam Billings and Max Holden. In his next over, he got rid of Rovman Powell as well. Theekshana's rampage continued and he got Jason Holder's wicket as well. Reolof van der Merwe hit three boundaries in Jawadullah's over to push the scoring rate. Sams returned and ended his cameo of 21 off 14 balls. Sikandar Raza hit a couple of sixes before becoming Sams' third victim. In the penultimate over, Joe Denly ran out Akif Raja as Dubai Capitals were bowled out for 104.
In the run chase, Niroshan Dickwella started with a flurry of boundaries. Johnson Charles took the back seat till the sixth over. Charles hit Raja for three fours and a six. After powerplay overs, Sharjah Warriors were 56 for no loss. In the ninth over, Haider Ali broke the partnership. Dickwella departed for a 30-ball 37. Charles and Denly ensured that Sharjah Warriors chased down the total with nine wickets in hand and 41 balls to spare. Charles remained unbeaten for 32-ball 42. Denly contributed with a 16-ball 23.
“After the powerplay, I just wanted to bowl more dot balls. Watt bowled really well and made my job easier. The surface was a bit slower than yesterday, got better for me. We have got experienced players, we are performing well as a team. In Abu Dhabi, I have bowled in the T10 and the 2021 World Cup as well. I know the wickets, hopefully I can get better out there,” Theekshana said in the post-match presentation.
With their third win from five games, Sharjah Warriors climbed to the second spot on the points table. Dubai Capitals are placed fourth with two wins from five games and a negative net run rate.
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