Sharjah Warriorz Development claimed victory in the third DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, narrowly defeating Desert Vipers Development by four runs in a thrilling final at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Wednesday evening.
Despite being dismissed for 134, the Warriorz made a strong comeback with the ball, causing a mid-innings collapse for the Vipers, who fell short after a promising chase.
Desert Vipers Development showcased a disciplined bowling display, dismissing Sharjah Warriorz Development for 134 in 19.2 overs. Key bowlers Sanjay Pahal (2/17), Khuzama Tanveer (2/20), Matiullah Khan (2/22), and Hafiz Almas Ayub (2/37) each took two wickets.
For the Warriorz, top scorers Yassir Kaleem (33 off 27) and Mohit Kalyan (30 off 23) couldn’t build substantial partnerships, leading to a modest total.
Vipers openers Mayank (27 off 15) and Tanisha Suri (29 off 22) had a strong start, taking the team to 56/1 by the powerplay’s end.
However, the innings faltered as Warriorz bowlers delivered a solid comeback. Abdul Ghaffar (3/26) excelled at the end, while Wasim Akram (2/19), Shahbaz Ali (2/26), and Umair Ali (2/30) delivered crucial wickets. The Vipers lost six wickets for 64 runs between the sixth and 16th over, including Sanjay Pahal (22 off 7), who was on a roll with two fours and two sixes.
Sanjay Pahal of Desert Vipers Development was awarded Player of the Tournament, scoring 157 runs with a strike rate of 215 and claiming 12 wickets, placing him as the fifth-highest wicket-taker.
Gulf Giants Development’s Jonathan Figgy emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with 273 runs, followed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ Sagar Kalyan with 230 runs and Warriorz’s Raees Ahmed with 227 runs.
Haider Razzaq led as the top wicket-taker with 16 wickets for Sharjah Warriorz, closely followed by Zahid Ali (Gulf Giants Development) and Hafiz Almas Ayub (Desert Vipers Development) with 15 wickets each.
Brief Scores:
Sharjah Warriorz Development defeated Desert Vipers Development by four runs
Sharjah Warriorz Development 134 all out in 19.2 overs (Yassir Kaleem 33, Mohit Kalyan 30; Sanjay Pahal 2/17, Khuzama Tanveer 2/20, Matiullah Khan 2/22, Hafiz Almas Ayub 2/37) Desert Vipers Development 130 all out in 19.5 overs (Tanisha Suri 29, Mayank 27, Sanjay Pahal 22; Abdul Ghaffar 3/26, Wasim Akram 2/19, Shahbaz Ali 2/26, Umair Ali 2/30)
