Sharjah Warriorz registered ILT20 2025-26’s lowest score on December 20 as they were bowled out for 90 by Desert Vipers at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. David Payne starred with a three-fer with a new ball and other Vipers preyed on under-pressure Warriorz. Vipers lost early wickets in the run chase but skipper Sam Curran led them to victory with a crucial 37-run knock. Vipers won the match by four wickets with 37 balls to spare.
Warriorz collapse again
Warriorz skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bat first. Johnson Charles struggled to rotate strike and became Payne's first victim. Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit a couple of boundaries before getting bowled in the fifth over. Even after powerplay overs, Payne continued to inflict pain. He dismissed James Rew for a six-ball duck. Warriorz struggled for boundaries and managed just 44 runs in 10 overs.
The non-threatening partnership between Tom Abell and Ethan DSouza was broken by Noor Ahmad in the 13th over. Dsouza scored 18 runs from 21 balls. Then, Curran introduced himself into the attack and dismissed the opposition skipper. Khuzaima Tanveer struck twice in the 15th over to dismiss Dinesh Karthik and Dwaine Pretorius. Noor continued to strike and trapped Harmeet Singh in front of the stumps. In the 18th over, Naseem Shah struck twice to get rid of Adil Rashid and Taskin Ahmed as Warriorz were bowled out for 90. Abell remained unbeaten for a 36-ball 35.
Vipers’ nervy run chase
In the run chase, Fakhar Zaman fell early to Taskin. In his next over, the Bangladesh pacer got the wicket of Hasan Nawaz as well. Then Pretorius got the wicket of Max Holden. Curran found a couple of boundaries as Vipers were 38/3 after powerplay overs. No boundaries were scored in the next four overs. At the halfway stage, Vipers were 61/3.
Harmeet broke the partnership with Dan Lawrence's wicket. He contributed with a run-a-ball 14. In the next over, Curran hit Raza for two fours before losing his wicket. Tom Bruce looked to finish the run chase quickly, hitting Harmeet for a four and a six. Adil Rashid got the consolation wicket of Jason Roy. Three balls later, Vipers got over the line and won by four wickets.
Vipers at top, Warriorz at bottom
This was Vipers' seventh win from eight games. They are at the top of the points table and booked a spot in playoffs. On the other hand, Warriorz suffered their fifth defeat of the season and are at the bottom of the table. Warriorz need two big wins to have a chance of making it to playoffs.