West Indies trio of Andre Russell, Kyle Mayers, and Jason Holder were integral in the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' commanding 30-run victory over the Sharjah Warriors at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Russell, who served as captain for this encounter, led by example with an explosive unbeaten 24 off just 12 balls, including three towering sixes. His late blitz powered the Knight Riders to 159-5 in their 20 overs.
The explosive Jamaican shared a vital unbroken 50-run sixth-wicket partnership with Laurie Evans, who anchored the innings with a measured 39 not out off 31 balls, including three fours and a six.
Earlier, Kyle Mayers provided a fiery start, smashing 21 off nine balls with two fours and two sixes, while Joe Clarke contributed a steady 32 off 27 balls, featuring four boundaries.
Despite a top-order wobble at 62-3, contributions from Alishan Sharafu (25) and the Russell-Evans finish ensured the Knight Riders posted a competitive total.
Adil Rashid (2-14) and Adam Milne (2-37) were the standout bowlers for the Warriors.
Holder and Mayers turned the game decisively in the Knight Riders' favour during the Warriors' chase. Holder delivered a match-winning spell, as he claimed 4-23 from his four overs, including the key wickets of West Indies teammates Johnson Charles (12) and Keemo Paul (21).
Mayers was equally impactful, finishing with 2-16 in 3.3 overs. The duo, alongside David Willey (3-19), dismantled the Warriors’ batting lineup, reducing them to 129 all out in 19.3 overs.
The Warriors' chase never gained momentum as they lost half their side for just 62 runs. Lower-order contributions from captain Tim Southee, who top-scored with a brisk 24 off 11 balls, and Rohan Mustafa, who made 20 off 19 balls, offered brief resistance.
Paul’s 16-ball 21, featuring four boundaries, and Charles’ 14-ball 12 with a four and a six were the only other notable contributions.
The victory was a crucial bounce-back for the Knight Riders, who had suffered a loss in their opening match. They now sit third on the table with two points, while the Warriors slipped to fifth, also with two points but trailing on net run rate.