MI Emirates rode on Tom Banton’s unbeaten 102 off just 55 balls to set up a mega nine-wicket win against Sharjah Warriorz here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday in the ongoing DP World ILT20 Season 3.

Making his maiden campaign for MI Emirates special, Tom Banton became the fourth century-maker in the history of the competition and only the second in this season after Shai Hope’s blistering century a week ago. While Hope’s century went in vain, Banton’s was a special one as it not only helped his team jump to the second position in the points table but this was also only the first century scored in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the history of ILT20.

Banton’s blitz was well-supported by Kusal Perera who scored an unbeaten 56 off 42 balls, making light of the run chase, as they romped home to 177 in 17.4 overs. Banton brought about his ton with great authority, sending Dilshan Madushanka’s short ball over the deep square leg for a huge six. His incredible knock was studded with 10 boundaries and six biggies while Perera packed off six boundaries and sent one over it in his commanding unbeaten knock.

Though Warriorz scalped dangerman Muhammad Waseem for 12 runs in only the second over through Dilshan Madushanka, their bowlers did not pose any threat to Banton-Perera’s rock-solid partnership of 157 runs. To add to their woes, a drop catch in the 12th over proved costly for the Warriorz when Karim Janat could not hold on to a sitter before Perera brought on his 50.

Put in to bat first, Sharjah Warriorz set up a total of 176/9 in 20 overs. MI Emirates left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi was the cynosure of MI Emirates bowling attack, tormenting the Warriorz batting order with four wickets for 24 runs while Alzarri Joseph bagged two for 39 with Romario Sheperd and Waqar Salamkheil chipping in with a wicket each.

Caught behind, opener Jason Roy was the first to fall for Farooqi in only his first over at a score of 7/1 but Johnson Charles and Avishka Fernando steered Warriorz innings stitching together a valuable 50-run partnership in 27 balls. Riding on his sensational 81 off 27 balls in Warriorz’ previous outing that set up a record-breaking chase against Dubai Capitals, Avishka set their home stadium ablaze with three boundaries and four sixes that had the Sunday audience in Sharjah up on their feet. He used the powerplay with explosive batting despite a slow wicket.

It was Romario Shepherd who eventually put an end to Fernando’s quick-fire innings of 39 runs in just 17 balls, with a slower delivery that was slogged to the cover but not timing it well enough, went straight to Muhammad Waseem who juggled a bit before safely holding on to a big wicket that put Sharjah Warriorz at 57/2.

Johnson, in the meantime, consolidated the Warriorz innings but lost Rohan Mustafa for six runs putting Warriorz at a precarious 71/3. A 32-run stand between Johnson and Luke Wells brought some semblance to the home team’s innings until Wells fell for Alzarri Joseph with 18 runs to his name. At the other end, Johnson was struggling with momentum and had to settle with singles and doubles but with Karim Janat steading the innings after coming in at No.6, Johnson upped his ante and reached the half-century mark in the 14^th over. He fell to Farooqi in the 15^th over after scoring 59 runs off 42 balls and surviving a drop catch by Nicolas Pooran early in the innings.

At 140/5, Warriorz huffed and puffed their way to 176/9 losing wickets regularly in the following over with no significant contribution coming from the tailenders after Janat departed for 18 runs. 

Player of the Match, Tom Banton said, “In my first eight or nine balls, I was on zero. It’s funny how cricket works sometimes. It was a really good wicket. I struggled for 25 balls. I have a better understanding of my game than a few years ago. Nicky, Polly, Robin and everyone has been really good.”

Sharjah Warriors Captain, Tim Southee said, “It wasn’t a bad score. We were reasonably happy with the score at the halfway stage. Avishka has been unbelievable in his first two games. Nice to see John at the other end but not taking wickets makes it hard. We weren’t able to take wickets and it does hurt to drop catches.”

Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants announced its partnership with two cricket training centres — Swantons Cricket Academy and Smashing Point Sports Academy (SPSA)-Raise Your Game — in Dubai, UAE. This is the first time that Adani Sportsline has collaborated with cricket academies in the Middle East.  

Through this partnership, the Adani Sportsline aims to strengthen the Gulf Giants’ presence in the region by engaging with the players trained at the academies, their families, coaches, and other cricket enthusiasts. The collaboration will include exclusive branding and fan engagement activities, player visits, and will create opportunities for promising athletes to participate in Gulf Giants’ practice sessions as net players. 

Gulf Giants players, who are part of the ongoing ILT20 Season 3, visited the academies recently and interacted with the children. While English wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Robinson and the team’s batting coach Grant Flower visited SPSA, Namibian allrounder Gerhard Erasmus and coach Ottis Gibson spent time at the Swantons Cricket Academy.  

Soon, Adani Sportline will organise a tournament named “Little Giants” and several schools across the UAE will take part in it.  

“The partnership with the academies is a pivotal step towards unlocking the true potential of talent in the UAE. The ‘Little Giants’ tournament is another initiative that will help us create pathways for young cricketers. We wish to reinforce our mission of making cricket an inclusive and thriving sport across communities, while continuing to expand our global footprint,” Mr Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer (CBO), Adani Sportsline, said. 

Speaking about the partnership, Zameer Sulaiman, Senior Manager, Swantons Cricket Academy, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Gulf Giants and be part of the Adani Sportsline family. Their expertise will be invaluable for our ambitions to give young players a platform to hone their skills, grow in their careers, and achieve their full potential.” 

Sony Cheruvathur, Director, SPSA, said, “We are proud to have joined hands with one of the most successful teams, Gulf Giants, in UAE’s top-tier league, ILT20. Their support further strengthens UAE’s cricketing ecosystem, and we will collaborate to develop cricket at the grassroots level.” 

Avishka Fernando electrified the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a blistering innings, leading the Warriorz to a record-breaking chase in DP World ILT20 history. Chasing 202 against the Dubai Capitals, Fernando smashed an extraordinary 81 runs off just 27 balls, reaching his half-century in a record-breaking 16 balls—the fastest in the tournament’s history.

Fernando’s innings, featuring eight massive sixes and six fours, ensured the Warriorz scaled the target in 18.1 overs with five wickets in hand. Earlier in the evening, Shai Hope played a pivotal role for the Capitals, compiling 83 runs to help his team post a challenging 201/5.

Facing a steep target, Johnson Charles ensured the Sharjah Warriorz stayed on track in the first few overs. Supported by Jason Roy on one end, Charles took on the Capitals’ attack, carving three fours and three sixes on the way to 37 runs in 19 balls. His onslaught was halted in the final over of the powerplay, dismissed by Olly Stone to leave the Warriorz at 56/1.

Dushmantha Chameera then broke through with the wicket of Jason Roy in the seventh over for 26 runs. Coming in at number three, Avishka Fernando came to life in the ninth over tearing into Gulbadin Naib for a six and two fours in consecutive deliveries.

UAE’s Rohan Mustafa also chipped in with 17 runs and vital boundaries until he was Chameera’s second wicket of the night bringing the score to 132/3 in 12.1 overs.

Avishka Fernando showcased sheer dominance as he shattered the DP World ILT20 record for the fastest half-century, racing to the milestone in just 16 balls. (The previous record, set by Desert Vipers’ Azam Khan, stood at 18 balls.)

Fernando then struck three consecutive sixes against Gulbadin Naib in a 27-run over, also marking the most runs conceded in an over in DP World ILT20 history. Fernando’s assault finally subsided when Obed McCoy scalped him, caught behind in the 16th over.

Luke Wells remained composed to put up 31 runs in 17 balls to help the Warriorz sail home comfortably.

In the first innings, the Dubai Capitals made the most of the fielding restrictions. Ben Dunk showcased his intent early, smashing two fours and a six, while Hope complemented him with three crisp boundaries. However, Dunk’s promising innings came to an end when an acrobatic effort from Kemo Paul off Adam Milne’s bowling saw him depart. The Capitals reached a solid 50/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Brandon McMullen continued the momentum before he was picked up by Adil Rashid on 22 runs in 14 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza joined Hope, and the pair ensured the run rate didn’t drop with a 67-run stand in 37 balls. Shai Hope brought up a 36-ball half century that saw three fours and two sixes, in the 14th over. Raza departed for 27 runs in 20 balls, when he holed out to a sharp catch from Adam Milne, off Karim Janat.

Rovman Powell unleashed a barrage of sixes against the Warriorz, racing to 28 runs in 15 balls, including an 18-run over against Karim Janat. Meanwhile, Hope continued his sensational form smashing two consecutive sixes in of Adam Milne in the 19th over as well.

Tim Southee brought some control to the final over, dismissing Powell and Dasun Shanaka in quick succession. Despite his efforts, the Capitals crossed the 200-run mark, finishing at 201/5.

Player of the Match, Avishka Fernando said: “I wanted to play my natural game, and I thank God for how things turned out. The wicket was great to bat on, and when they scored 200, I knew I had to play positively. It came naturally, and I’m grateful for that. I didn’t realize I had broken the record for the fastest fifty, but I’m happy with the performance.”

Dubai Capitals captain, Sikandar Raza said: “I thought it was a very good total. You don’t usually see 202 in Sharjah, so I was pretty confident it was a strong score, and we should have been able to win the game. Shai has been a fantastic addition to the team, and hopefully, the other players around him step up as well. The wicket got better later, and the dew made it tougher. The cutters weren’t holding in the wicket either. Our fielding could have been better, and Avishka played brilliantly”

Brief scores

Sharjah Warriorz bt Dubai Capitals by five wickets
Dubai Capitals 201/5 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 83 not out, Rovman Powell 28, Sikandar Raza 27, Tim Southee 2 for 35, Karim Janat 1 for 24, Adil Rashid 1 for 36)

Sharjah Warriorz 202/5 in 18.1 overs (Avishka Fernando 81, Johnson Charles 37, Luke Wells 31 not out, Dushmantha Chameera 3 for 30, Obed McCoy 1 for 30)

Player of the Match: Avishka Fernando