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Maheesh Theekshana shines as Sharjah Warriors defeat Dubai Capitals
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Sri Lankan off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana bagged four wickets for 20 runs as Sharjah Warriors record a nine-wicket win against Dubai Capitals in the 14th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 in Sharjah.
Theekshana’s masterful performance resulted in the Dubai Capitals being bowled out for 104 runs in 18.2 overs.
The Sri Lankan was well-backed by Daniel Sams, who bagged 3 for 28 with his accurate left-arm medium pace.
Chasing the moderate target, Warriors raced to victory in 13.1 overs through an opening partnership of 70 runs in 8.2 overs between Niroshan Dickwella and Johnson Charles. Niroshan Dickwella scored a 30-ball 37 runs before getting caught by Sam Billings at long on bowled by Haider Ali. Charles went on to hit an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls with four boundaries and a six while Joe Denly remained on 23 off 16 balls with three boundaries and a six. The Warriors won the match with 41 balls to spare.
The Capitals came into the game after a defeat to the defending champions Gulf Giants and surprised everyone by opting to bat first after winning the toss, unlike all other teams that had elected to bowl. The Warriors however, fresh from a win over Desert Vipers, continued their momentum and have now shot up the table to the second place while the Capitals slipped to fourth.
The tale of Capitals’s collapse began soon after their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit the second ball of the first over from Chris Woakes over long-on for a six. Scotland’s left-arm spinner Mark Watt got Gurbaz out with a ball that skidded through and went through the gates to hit the stumps for 9. Ben Dunk joined his skipper David Warner but fell in the fifth over to Sams, flicking into the hands of Johnson Charles at deep backward square leg for 8.
UAE left-arm medium pacer Muhammad Jawadullah, who had won the match for Warriors against Desert Vipers by bowling a tight last over, took the valuable wicket of Warner for 16. Warner, going for a pull, gloved the ball to wicketkeeper Dickwella who took a diving catch down the leg side.
Theekshana, who was introduced for the ninth over, removed Sam Billings quickly for 9 by forcing him to slap to Lewis Gregory at cover. When half the Capitals side was back in the dug-out for 44, Theekshana trapped Max Holden leg before for a duck in the same over. Theekshana also got Ricardo Powell leg before for 10 in the 11th over with a doosra and Jason Holder also got out leg before in the 13th over for 1.
Roelof van der Merwe held on to score 21 runs before pulling Sams to Jawadullah at short fine leg. Raza took the score past the 100-run mark with a fighting 22 runs that had two sixes before becoming Sams’ third victim when he lifted to Kohlder-Cadmore at deep extra cover.
Warriors skipper Kohler-Cadmore said, “The guys were brilliant in the first innings, and made our job easier. This isn’t the easiest place to play spin, and to have someone (Theekshana) who can bowl three overs in the powerplay is brilliant. Everyone’s chipping in, just about finding consistency.”
Capitals captain Warner said, “We weren’t good enough with the bat. We are all accountable for that. The wicket played a bit different than we expected, and we need to give credit to them for the way they bowled. Our shot selection wasn’t good enough. We need to go back to the drawing board and be brave. We are being a bit too conservative, need to show more intent. We’ll be back in Dubai where we are a bit more confident about the conditions.”
Player of the Match, Theekshana said, “The surface was a bit slower than yesterday and it got better for me. We have got experienced players, and we are performing well as a team. In Abu Dhabi (next match), I have bowled in the T10 and the 2021 World Cup as well. I know the wickets there, so hopefully I can get better out there too.”
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Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
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