In a dazzling display of batting brilliance, MI Emirates overcame a spirited half-century from Johnson Charles as they stormed to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Sharjah Warriors at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The win, anchored by an unbeaten 102 from Tom Banton and Kusal Perera’s 56 in an unbeaten 157-run stand, showcased the Emirates’ batting might as they comfortably chased down the Warriors’ 176-9 at 177-1 in 17.4 overs.
After being sent to bat by MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran, Sharjah Warriors competitive total was thanks largely to Charles, who smashed 59 off 42 balls, including four boundaries and three towering sixes. His innings provided stability after the early dismissal of Jason Roy (one), who fell with just seven runs on the board.
Tom Banton during his unbeaten knock. (Photos: ILT20)
Charles found a reliable partner in Avishka Fernando, whose explosive 39 off 17 balls (three fours and four sixes) formed the backbone of a 50-run second-wicket partnership. Despite the early promise, the Warriors’ innings faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Luke Wells (18) and Karim Janat (18) made brief contributions before both succumbed to West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph, who finished with 2-39. Another West Indian, Keemo Paul, managed only four runs.
The standout performance with the ball came from Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, who dismantled the middle order with figures of 4-24. He was well supported by Joseph and Romario Shepherd (1-29), while Akeal Hosein went wicketless in his four overs.
MI Emirates’ chase got off to a shaky start when Muhammad Waseem fell for 12, caught by Charles off Dilshan Madushanka. However, from there, it was the Tom Banton and Kusal Perera show.
Keemo Paul cuts a frustrated figure.
The pair put on an unbroken second-wicket stand that left the Warriors’ bowlers demoralized. Banton, in a sublime display of power, blasted his way to an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls, laced with 10 fours and six sixes.
Perera, not to be outdone, played a calm yet authoritative knock of 56 not out off 42 balls, hitting six fours and a six. Together, they took the game away from the Warriors, guiding victory with 14 balls to spare.
The win propelled MI Emirates to second place in the standings on four points, just ahead of Sharjah Warriors (four points) on net run rate. Desert Vipers, with eight points, continue to lead the table.