SHARJAH – The Desert Vipers weathered a spirited late fightback from the Sharjah Warriorz and West Indian Johnson Charles, to clinch a tense five-wicket victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, simultaneously securing their own playoff berth and extinguishing their opponents’ season.
The win propels the Vipers to a historic eight group-stage victories in the DP World ILT20, while the shattered Warriorz bow out of contention.
The playoff picture now narrows, with the final spot to be decided in Sunday’s clash between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Gulf Giants.
They will join the Vipers, MI Emirates, and Dubai Capitals. Meanwhile, Sunday’s other fixture between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals will determine a top-two finish.
Chasing a modest 141, the Vipers’ innings stuttered early against sharp bowling from Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava, stumbling to 9-2 within the powerplay.
The chase found its anchor in a composed Max Holden, whose masterful, unbeaten 66 off 46 balls with 9 fours and a six, guided his side home.
He shared a steadying 64-run stand with Sam Curran, who weighed in with a valiant 25 off 28 balls, before USA spinner Harmeet Singh sparked a late flutter.
Harmeet’s triple strike, removing Curran, Dan Lawrence, and Jason Roy in the middle overs, briefly tilted the game, reducing the Vipers to 97-5 in the 16th over.
However, Hasan Nawaz, with a dogged unbeaten 25 off 14, arrived to partner Holden in a match-winning, unbroken 47-run blitz, sealing the win with 10 balls to spare.
Earlier, the Warriorz’ innings never found fluency after a disastrous start. Naseem Shah, with 3-24, was the chief destroyer; his vital spells included the key wicket of a counter-attacking Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 20 and James Rew for 22.
St Lucian Charles, with 43 off 37, provided brief resistance, but regular wickets crippled the momentum. Despite Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 21, the Warriors could only post 140-7, a total that ultimately proved insufficient against Holden’s calm brilliance.
CMC
