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The Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers Match Scorecard covers an exciting encounter in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26 season. The match was played on December 26, 2025, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. Desert Vipers chased down the target to defeat Sharjah Warriorz by five wickets with three balls remaining.
Sharjah Warriorz batted first and scored 140/7 in 20 overs. Johnson Charles led the innings with 43 runs from 37 balls, while James Rew contributed 22 and Ryan Burl remained unbeaten on 21. Naseem Shah was the leading bowler for Desert Vipers, taking three wickets.
In response, Desert Vipers scored 144/5 in 19.3 overs. Max Holden played a match-winning innings, remaining unbeaten on 65 from 46 balls. Hasan Nawaz provided an important late contribution with 25 not out from 14 deliveries. Their efforts ensured that Desert Vipers reached the target and secured another valuable victory.
Match Summary
The encounter was the 28th match of the ILT20 2025–26 season. Desert Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl, putting Sharjah Warriorz in to bat. The decision paid off early as the Vipers’ bowlers took wickets during the powerplay and restricted Sharjah’s scoring opportunities.
Johnson Charles helped steady the innings, but regular wickets prevented Sharjah from building a major total. The Warriorz eventually reached 140/7, leaving Desert Vipers a target of 141 runs.
The chase began with early setbacks for Desert Vipers. However, Max Holden anchored the innings, forming an important partnership with Sam Curran before guiding the team through the later stages. Hasan Nawaz’s aggressive finishing helped complete the chase with three balls remaining.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers |
| Tournament | International League T20 2025–26 |
| Match Number | 28th Match |
| Date | December 26, 2025 |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Toss | Desert Vipers elected to bowl |
| Sharjah Warriorz | 140/7 in 20 overs |
| Desert Vipers | 144/5 in 19.3 overs |
| Result | Desert Vipers won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Max Holden |
Sharjah Warriorz Innings Scorecard
Sharjah Warriorz faced an early challenge after losing Monank Patel and Tom Abell cheaply. Patel scored four runs from two balls before David Payne dismissed him, while Abell was out for a duck.
Johnson Charles then played a stabilising role, scoring 43 from 37 deliveries. His innings included five fours and two sixes, helping Sharjah recover from the early wickets. Tom Kohler-Cadmore added 20 runs, and James Rew contributed 22 from 20 balls.
Sikandar Raza could not make a significant contribution, falling for a duck. Ryan Burl stayed until the end and scored an unbeaten 21 from 25 deliveries. Harmeet Singh added 11 runs, while Adil Rashid finished unbeaten on six from three balls.
Sharjah Warriorz ended their innings at 140/7. Although the total offered their bowlers something to defend, the team could have benefited from a stronger finish.
Sharjah Warriorz Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Charles | 43 | 37 | 5 | 2 |
| Monank Patel | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tom Abell | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Kohler-Cadmore | 20 | 22 | 1 | 1 |
| James Rew | 22 | 20 | 1 | 1 |
| Sikandar Raza | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Burl | 21* | 25 | 2 | 0 |
| Harmeet Singh | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Adil Rashid | 6* | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Extras | 13 | — | — | — |
| Total | 140/7 | 20 overs | — | — |
The asterisk indicates that the batter remained not out.
Charles was the leading scorer for Sharjah Warriorz. His innings helped the team recover from early losses, but the Vipers’ bowlers continued taking wickets to prevent a late acceleration.
Desert Vipers Bowling Scorecard
Desert Vipers produced an effective bowling performance, combining early breakthroughs with control during the middle overs. Naseem Shah was the leading wicket-taker, finishing with three wickets for 35 runs in four overs.
Qais Ahmad also made an important contribution, taking two wickets for 30 runs. David Payne and Khuzaima Bin Tanveer picked up one wicket each, helping keep Sharjah from building a larger total.
Sam Curran was particularly economical, conceding only 16 runs in his four overs. His spell helped apply pressure and limited Sharjah’s scoring opportunities.
Desert Vipers Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Payne | 3 | 19 | 1 |
| Khuzaima Bin Tanveer | 3 | 23 | 1 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | 35 | 3 |
| Sam Curran | 4 | 16 | 0 |
| Qais Ahmad | 4 | 30 | 2 |
| Dan Lawrence | 2 | 13 | 0 |
Naseem Shah’s three wickets were crucial in restricting Sharjah to 140. Curran’s economical spell also helped the Vipers maintain pressure and prevent the Warriorz from reaching a more challenging score.
Desert Vipers Innings Scorecard
Desert Vipers lost two early wickets during the chase. Andries Gous was dismissed for one, while Fakhar Zaman scored six before departing. The early setbacks gave Sharjah Warriorz an opportunity to take control of the contest.
Max Holden responded with a composed innings. He remained unbeaten on 65 from 46 balls, hitting nine fours and one six. His ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries kept the chase on track.
Sam Curran added 25 from 28 deliveries, supporting Holden through the middle overs. Dan Lawrence scored nine, and Jason Roy made four. Sharjah briefly threatened to turn the match around when Harmeet Singh took three wickets, but Holden remained at the crease.
Hasan Nawaz then delivered an important late contribution, scoring an unbeaten 25 from just 14 balls. His three sixes helped reduce the pressure in the closing overs, and Desert Vipers reached 144/5 in 19.3 overs.
Desert Vipers Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Andries Gous | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Max Holden | 65* | 46 | 9 | 1 |
| Sam Curran | 25 | 28 | 2 | 1 |
| Dan Lawrence | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Jason Roy | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 25* | 14 | 0 | 3 |
| Extras | 9 | — | — | — |
| Total | 144/5 | 19.3 overs | — | — |
Holden’s unbeaten innings was the foundation of the successful chase. He kept the scoreboard moving despite losing partners, while Nawaz’s late hitting ensured that Desert Vipers finished the job without needing the final three deliveries.
Sharjah Warriorz Bowling Scorecard
Sharjah Warriorz had moments of success with the ball, especially when Harmeet Singh took three wickets in the middle overs. He dismissed Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence, and Jason Roy, creating pressure and briefly giving Sharjah hope of defending the target.
Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava also took one wicket each. However, the other bowlers could not stop Holden from scoring consistently, and Hasan Nawaz’s late attack proved decisive.
Sharjah Warriorz Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 27 | 1 |
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | 30 | 1 |
| Junaid Siddique | 2.3 | 23 | 0 |
| Adil Rashid | 4 | 22 | 0 |
| Saghir Khan | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Harmeet Singh | 4 | 29 | 3 |
Harmeet Singh was Sharjah’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 29 runs. His spell made the chase more competitive, but the Warriorz could not dismiss Holden before the target was reached.
Max Holden’s Match-Winning Performance
Max Holden was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 65 from 46 deliveries. His innings included nine fours and one six, giving Desert Vipers the stability they needed after losing two early wickets.
Holden did not rely solely on big shots. He rotated the strike, capitalised on loose deliveries, and kept the required run rate under control. When wickets fell during the middle overs, he remained calm and continued building the innings.
His contribution was particularly important after Harmeet Singh dismissed three batters. Rather than allowing the chase to collapse, Holden maintained his focus and partnered with Hasan Nawaz to finish the match.
Hasan Nawaz’s Late Acceleration
Hasan Nawaz played a decisive role in the final stage of the chase. His unbeaten 25 from 14 balls included three sixes, allowing Desert Vipers to accelerate when the match was still in progress.
His contribution complemented Holden’s steady innings. While Holden kept the innings together, Nawaz attacked the bowlers and reduced the pressure in the final overs.
The partnership demonstrated the value of having batters with different roles in a T20 chase. Holden provided consistency, while Nawaz supplied the late power needed to complete the victory.
Key Moments of the Match
Several moments shaped the result of the contest:
- Early wickets for Desert Vipers: The dismissal of Monank Patel and Tom Abell put Sharjah under pressure during their innings.
- Charles steadies Sharjah: Johnson Charles scored 43 runs and helped the Warriorz recover after losing early wickets.
- Naseem Shah’s three wickets: His bowling restricted Sharjah to 140/7.
- Holden anchors the chase: His unbeaten 65 ensured Desert Vipers remained in the contest despite early setbacks.
- Harmeet Singh’s middle-over burst: Three wickets gave Sharjah a chance to defend the target.
- Nawaz finishes strongly: His three sixes helped Desert Vipers secure the win with three balls remaining.
These moments show that the match was not a straightforward chase. Sharjah created pressure during the middle overs, but Holden’s composure and Nawaz’s finishing power proved decisive.
Match Analysis: Why Desert Vipers Won
Desert Vipers won because their bowlers restricted Sharjah Warriorz to 140/7 and their batters managed the chase effectively. Naseem Shah and Qais Ahmad took five wickets between them, while Curran’s economical spell limited the scoring rate.
Sharjah’s total was competitive but left little margin for error. Charles’ 43 and Burl’s unbeaten 21 helped the Warriorz reach 140, yet the team lost wickets too regularly to build a bigger total.
During the chase, Desert Vipers faced early setbacks and then lost three more wickets to Harmeet Singh. Holden’s calm approach prevented a collapse, and Nawaz’s aggressive finishing ensured the required runs were scored before the final over was completed.
The result highlighted three important aspects of T20 cricket: taking wickets early, maintaining control through the middle overs, and having a batter capable of finishing a chase under pressure.
Sharjah Warriorz Vs Desert Vipers Match Statistics
| Statistic | Sharjah Warriorz | Desert Vipers |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 140/7 | 144/5 |
| Overs played | 20 | 19.3 |
| Highest individual score | Johnson Charles, 43 | Max Holden, 65* |
| Best bowling figures | Harmeet Singh, 3/29 | Naseem Shah, 3/35 |
| Result | Lost by 5 wickets | Won by 5 wickets |
The figures underline the difference between the two teams. Sharjah produced a reasonable total, but Desert Vipers managed their chase better and reached the target with three balls remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers match?
Desert Vipers won by five wickets with three balls remaining. Sharjah Warriorz scored 140/7, and Desert Vipers reached 144/5 in 19.3 overs.
2. What was the score of Sharjah Warriorz?
Sharjah Warriorz scored 140 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs. Johnson Charles was their leading scorer with 43 runs from 37 balls.
3. Who was the Player of the Match?
Max Holden was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 65 from 46 balls. His innings helped Desert Vipers complete the chase successfully.
4. Who took the most wickets in the match?
Naseem Shah and Harmeet Singh each took three wickets. Shah finished with 3/35 for Desert Vipers, while Singh took 3/29 for Sharjah Warriorz.
5. Where was the match played?
The match was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on December 26, 2025, during the International League T20 2025–26 season.
Conclusion
The Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers Match Scorecard records a five-wicket victory for Desert Vipers in the 28th match of the ILT20 2025–26 season. Sharjah Warriorz scored 140/7, with Johnson Charles leading the innings through a useful 43.
Desert Vipers responded with 144/5 in 19.3 overs. Max Holden remained unbeaten on 65, while Hasan Nawaz scored a quick 25 not out to finish the chase. Naseem Shah’s three wickets helped restrict Sharjah, while Harmeet Singh’s three-wicket spell briefly threatened the Vipers’ progress.
Ultimately, Holden’s composure and Nawaz’s late acceleration made the difference. Desert Vipers secured the win with three balls remaining, demonstrating the importance of partnerships and finishing strongly in T20 cricket.
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