Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The 8th International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 game between Dubai capitals and Sharjah Warriors proved to be an epic contest, ending with the Warriorz chasing the highest total in ILT20 history. The match, played in Sharjah, witnessed a historic run chase as Avishka FernandoThe fiery knock guided the Warriorz to an incredible target of 202 runs, securing victory with 11 balls to spare.
Dubai Capitals batting led by Shai Hope
The Capitals, who won the toss and elected to bat first, posted a challenging total of 201/5 in their 20 overs. Shai Hope anchored the innings with an unbeaten 83 from 52 balls, with six sixes and three boundaries. With Hope, Brandon McMullen (22 out of 14), Sikandar Raza (27 of 20) and Rovman Powell (28 off 15) made valuable contributions, each playing their part in building a strong innings. The Warriorz bowlers, led by Tim Southeeshowed excellent discipline, with Southee returning figures of 2/35 in his four-over spell. Karim Janat also chipped in important bursts, removing Hope at a crucial stage, while Gulbadin Naib (6 of 3) added late development. Despite the effort, The Capitals ended on 201/5, setting up a memorable chase.
Historic chase by Sharjah Warriorz
In their response, the Warriorz started with aggressive intent, and Avishka was in charge from the start. The Sri Lankan batter was in a league of his own, smashing an astonishing 81 runs from just 27 deliveries, a knock that included six fours and eight massive sixes. Fernando’s ability to clear the boundary with such ease and his calculated aggression turned the run chase into a one-sided affair early on. His innings culminated in the fastest fifty in ILT20 history, reaching his half-century in just 16 balls – a feat that stunned the crowd and left the opposition reeling.
Johnson Charles provided early strength with a quick-fire 37 off 19 balls, while Rohan MustafaA steady 17 runs from 16 deliveries helped keep the run rate going. However, Fernando’s devastating batting changed the momentum in favor of the Warriorz. Capitals bowlers, incl Dushmantha Chameera (3/30) and Olly Bato (1/50), tried to stop Fernando, but they had no answer to his attack. His fearless approach forced the Capitals to constantly adjust their line and height, without success in stopping his free scoring.
As the target approaches, Luke Wells (31 not out from 17) provided the perfect finishing touch, hitting boundaries at crucial intervals to keep the required run rate in check. The Warriorz comfortably reached 202/5 in just 18 overs, claiming a historic victory with 11 balls to spare, marking the longest successful chase in ILT20 history.
also WATCH: Waqar Salamkheil cleans up Alex Hales with a peach of a delivery in ILT20 2025
Avishka Fernando’s knock rewrote the records
Avishka’s innings was nothing short of spectacular, with 6 boundaries and 8 terrifying sixes, including the fastest fifty in ILT20 history- reaching his half-century in just 16 balls! His sheer dominance at the crease rewrote records and set a new benchmark for chasing in this league. The previous record for the longest chase in the ILT20 belonged to Giants of the Gulfwho successfully chased 196 runs against Desert Viper in Dubai in the 2023 edition.
However, Fernando’s stunning knock broke that record, showing his ability to clear the boundary with ease and maintain an aggressive tempo throughout his innings. Earlier in the 2024 edition, Pakistan’s Azam Khan set the record for the fastest fifty in ILT20 history, taking just 18 balls to reach his fifty against the Giants. But Fernando’s calculated aggression and ability to accelerate at will took things to another level entirely.
Longest successful pursuit of #DPWorldILT20! 🥵
Sharjah Warriorz get 2️⃣ points!The innings was headlined by Avishka Fernando all the way, and the home side chased down the target at a canter. Batsmanship of the highest order! 🔝#SWvDC #AllInForCricket pic.twitter.com/R0csU3mIQX
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 17, 2025
