West Indies batter Johnson Charles turned left-handed batter to negate Zahir Khan's impact in the game and smashed him for three sixes and a four in an over to turn the game one-sided. Charles' 71 off just 33 balls led Sharjah Warriors to a nine-wicket win with 49 balls to spare against Dubai Capitals on January 28. However, it was not Charles who was adjudged 'Player of the match' but Adam Zampa as the leg-spinner tightened the screws in the middle overs and caused a collapse.
Zampa becomes Capitals' roadblock
Earlier, Sharjah Warrioz' Tim Southee won the toss and opted to bowl first. Adam Rossington got off to a flier hitting Southee for a six and two fours. Shai Hope took his time in the powerplay overs. After six overs, Dubai Capitals were 55 for no loss. Zampa was introduced in the seventh over and dismissed Rossington. He scored 37 runs from 23 balls. In his next over, he got the wicket of Gulbadin Naib. After three boundary-less overs, Ashton Agar struck in the 13th over with the wicket of captain Sikandar Raza. Then Najibullah Zadran got run out in the same over.
Powell's cameo helps Capitals to a respectable total
Khalid Shah and Dasun Shanaka departed without making an impact as well. Rovman Powell spoiled Zampa's figures with a four and a six in the 17th over. Hope's patience ran out in the 18th over bowled by Southee as he was outfoxed by a slower one. He managed to score 45 runs from 52 balls. In the penultimate over, Powell hit a couple of fours off Adam Milne and his catch was dropped by Avishka Fernando. Milne finished the over by knocking over Dushmantha Chameera. In the final over, another catch of Powell was dropped. Haider Ali got run out trying to get Powell back on strike. Then, he hit a six to help Dubai Capitals post 131/9.
Charles, Kohler-Cadmore boost Warriorz's NRR
In the run chase, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Charles were not much troubled by Capitals bowlers. In the fifth over, Charles turned left-handed batter to counter spinner Zahir Khan. 28 runs were scored in the over including three sixes and two fours. Charles finished the powerplay overs with a six. Warriorz had 79 runs on the board for no loss after six overs. In the eighth over, Charles reached his fifty with a six. He took 21 balls to reach the milestone. In the next over, Raza dropped Charles' catch off his own bowling. Kohler-Cadmore accelerated as well as Warriorz had 123 runs on the board at the halfway stage.
The partnership was broken by Raza in the 11th over. Charles departed after scoring 71 runs from 33 balls. His knock was laced with three fours and eight sixes. In the 12th over, Kohler-Cadmore reached his fifty from 31 balls and then finished the run chase with a boundary.
Warriroz registered their third win from eighth games but are still at the bottom of the points table as their NRR is inferior to Abu Dhab Knight Riders and Gulf Giants who have three wins each as well. Capitals are placed third after suffering their fourth defeat from eight games. Their NRR took a hit as well.