Sharjah [UAE], December 23, 2025 - The Sharjah Warriorz have breathed new life into their playoff aspirations with a determined performance against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. In a nail-biting Match No. 25, the Warriorz chased down a competitive target, securing a crucial victory to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Guiding the chase was James Rew, who remained unbeaten on 42 off 29 deliveries. Rew's innings included four boundaries and a six. He demonstrated composure under pressure, anchoring the innings and ensuring the Warriorz crossed the finish line.
"We spoke about it before the game and knew that to qualify for the playoffs, we would likely need to win three matches in a row," Rew stated. "The focus was to take one game at a time. This was the first step, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the next two games."
The Warriorz' chase faced a stern test in the form of Sunil Narine. Narine's spell of four overs yielded just 14 runs and one wicket. Rew acknowledged the challenge, stating, "Sunil Narine bowled extremely well. Our plan was to get through his spell and then look to put pressure on the bowlers who came on after him." He also highlighted the importance of his partnership with captain Sikandar Raza, adding, "Batting alongside our captain, Sikandar, helped immensely." Raza contributed a vital 28 runs off 25 balls. Their 57-run partnership off 35 balls kept the Warriorz in contention.
Earlier in the innings, the Warriorz endured a shaky start, with Jason Holder removing Johnson Charles for a duck. Ajay Kumar soon followed, further destabilizing the innings. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell briefly steadied the ship, but disciplined bowling kept the chase in check.
Taskin Ahmed and Wasim Akram earlier wreaked havoc on the Knight Riders' top order, reducing them to 10/4. Adil Rashid then tightened the screws, claiming three wickets to restrict the Knight Riders to 134/9. Sherfane Rutherford offered resistance with a resilient 44 off 36 balls.
Reflecting on his experience with the team, Rew expressed his satisfaction: "I have absolutely loved my time here. It has been a fantastic experience, and the group has welcomed me warmly. Getting another win is very satisfying, and we hope to continue this run of form."
With this win, the Sharjah Warriorz moved to six points, joining a tight race for the remaining playoff spots. The victory places them level with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Gulf Giants, intensifying the competition. The race for the three remaining playoff berths remains wide open.
