The eighth Worldwide League T20 (ILT20) 2025 match between Dubai Capitals and Sharjah Warriorz proved to be an epic contest, ending with the Warriorz chasing down the very best whole in ILT20 historical past. The match, performed at Sharjah, witnessed a historic run chase as Avishka Fernando‘s blistering knock guided the Warriorz to an unbelievable goal of 202 runs, securing victory with 11 balls to spare.
Dubai Capitals’ batting led by Shai Hope
The Capitals, who received the toss and opted to bat first, posted a difficult whole of 201/5 of their 20 overs. Shai Hope anchored the innings with an unbeaten 83 off 52 balls, laced with six towering sixes and three boundaries. Alongside Hope, Brandon McMullen (22 off 14), Sikandar Raza (27 off 20) and Rovman Powell (28 off 15) made priceless contributions, every taking part in their half in constructing a powerful innings. The Warriorz bowlers, led by Tim Southee, displayed glorious self-discipline, with Southee returning figures of two/35 in his four-over spell. Karim Janat additionally chipped in with essential breakthroughs, eradicating Hope at an important stage, whereas Gulbadin Naib (6 off 3) added a late flourish. Regardless of the hassle, The Capitals ended at 201/5, organising a memorable chase.
Historic run chase by Sharjah Warriorz
Of their reply, the Warriorz started with aggressive intent, and Avishka took cost from the beginning. The Sri Lankan batter was in a league of his personal, smashing an astonishing 81 runs off simply 27 deliveries, a knock that included six fours and eight large sixes. Fernando’s skill to clear the boundary with such ease and his calculated aggression reworked the run chase right into a one-sided affair early on. His innings culminated within the quickest fifty in ILT20 historical past, reaching his half-century off simply 16 balls – a feat that left the group shocked and the opposition deflated.
Johnson Charles offered the early stability with a quick-fire 37 off 19 balls, whereas Rohan Mustafa’s regular 17 runs off 16 deliveries helped hold the run-rate ticking. Nevertheless, it was Fernando’s harmful batting that shifted the momentum completely in favour of the Warriorz. The Capitals’ bowlers, together with Dushmantha Chameera (3/30) and Olly Stone (1/50), tried to comprise Fernando, however they’d no reply to his onslaught. His fearless method compelled the Capitals to always modify their line and size, with no success in curbing his free-flowing scoring.
Because the goal approached, Luke Wells (31 not out off 17) offered the right of entirety, hitting boundaries at essential intervals to maintain the required run fee in verify. The Warriorz comfortably reached 202/5 in simply 18 overs, claiming a historic win with 11 balls to spare, marking the very best profitable chase in ILT20 historical past.
Additionally WATCH: Waqar Salamkheil cleans up Alex Hales with a peach of a supply within the ILT20 2025
Avishka Fernando’s blistering knock rewrites data
Avishka’s innings was nothing wanting sensational, that includes 6 boundaries and eight monstrous sixes, together with the quickest fifty in ILT20 history- reaching his half-century off simply 16 balls! His sheer dominance on the crease rewrote data and set a brand new benchmark for chases on this league. The earlier file for the very best chase in ILT20 belonged to the Gulf Giants, who efficiently chased 196 runs towards Desert Vipers at Dubai within the 2023 version.
Nevertheless, Fernando’s sensational knock shattered that file, showcasing his skill to clear the boundary with ease and keep an aggressive tempo all through his innings. Earlier within the 2024 version, Pakistan’s Azam Khan had set the file for the quickest fifty in ILT20 historical past, taking simply 18 balls to succeed in his fifty towards the Giants. However Fernando’s calculated aggression and talent to speed up at will took issues to a different degree completely.
Highest profitable chase on the #DPWorldILT20! 🥵
Sharjah Warriorz bag 2️⃣ factors!The innings was headlined by Avishka Fernando all the best way, and the house aspect chased down the goal in a canter. Batsmanship of the very best order! 🔝#SWvDC #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/R0csU3mIQX
— Worldwide League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 17, 2025