West Indies players Johnson Charles and Keemo Paul played minor but impactful roles in Sharjah Warriors’ dramatic three-wicket victory over Shimron Hetmyer’s Gulf Giants in a pulsating DP World ILT20 encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Warriors successfully chased down a challenging target of 175, riding on a masterful unbeaten 83 off 56 balls from Englishman Tom Kohler-Cadmore and a crucial 45 off 33 balls from Rohan Mustafa. The pair’s 105-run third-wicket partnership provided the backbone of the innings, after the team found themselves wobbling at 14-2 early in the chase.

Scores: Gulf Giants 174-7 (20 overs); Sharjah Warriors 175-7 (20 overs)

Charles showed early intent, as he slammed two sixes in a quickfire four-ball 12 before he was the first wicket to fall with the score at 13-1.

Paul later added 11 off six balls, including a four and a six, during a tense middle phase of the chase. Despite their brief stays at the crease, their contributions added to the team’s momentum in a tightly contested match.

Kohler-Cadmore’s innings, which was a clinic in composure and precision, featured six boundaries and four towering sixes. Even as wickets tumbled around him—four falling for just 29 runs after Mustafa’s dismissal—Kohler-Cadmore anchored the chase and ensured the Warriors crossed the line off the final ball of the innings.

Mustafa’s contribution, which included three fours and two sixes, was equally vital in steadying the innings after the early losses of Charles and Jason Roy, who departed for a duck.

Mark Adair (2-23) and Blessing Muzarabani (2-27) delivered excellent spells for the Giants that kept the Warriors under pressure.

Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer played a brisk knock for the Gulf Giants, scoring 36 off 23 balls with five fours and a six. Hetmyer, batting at number five, added stability to the innings after the early dismissals of openers James Vince (3) and Adam Lyth (11).

Rehan Ahmed top-scored for the Giants with a blistering 46 off 27 balls in a knock that had five boundaries and two sixes, while Jordan Cox chipped in with a steady 38 off 32 balls. Adair added a late flourish, smashing 20 off 10 balls, including two sixes and a four, to take the Giants to a competitive total, which proved inadequate at the end.

Tim Southee was the standout bowler for the Warriors, claiming 3-30, while Paul went wicketless in his two overs, conceding 22 runs.

With this victory, the Sharjah Warriors climbed to second place in the standings, behind the Desert Vipers.