Look: Gulf Giants beat Sharjah Warriors in DP World ILT20 Season 2 opener in Sharjah

Defending champions get off to a perfect start with a 31-run win over the hosts

Last updated: January 20, 2024 | 00:31

2 MIN READ

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OPENING CEREMONY: Fireworks light up the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as players of Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors along with officials line up for the start of of the DP World International League T20 cricket tournament Season 2 opener on Friday.

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THE PRIZE: Officials with the ILT20 trophy during the opening ceremony.

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BEHIND THE MIKE: Former cricketers Harbhajan Singh of India and Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan are commentators for the opening clash between Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriors in ILT20 Season 2.

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PLAY TIME: Players take the field for the opening match of ILT20 between Sharjah Warriors and Gulf Giants.

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BRISK START: Gulf Giants skipper James Vince and fellow opener Jamie Smith gave the defending champions a quick start against Sharjah Warriors.

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THE ACCELERATION: England batter Jordan Cox joined skipper Vince to propel Gulf Giants to a big score. The defending champions posted a challenging 198 for seven, which the Sharjah Warriors found hard to chase.

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FOUR-WICKET HAUL: Maheesh Theekshana of Sharjah Warriors claims the wicket of West Indian batter Shimron Hetmyer. The Sri Lankan mystery bowler claimed four wickets in the opening clash.

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BODY BLOWS: England pacer Chris Woakes put the brakes on Gulf Giants with two wickets for Sharjah Warriors.

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FAN ZONE: Sharjah fans were treated to some good cricket, but they must have returned home disappointed after the hosts lost the opener by 31 runs.

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ON THE FRONT FOOT: Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill plays his trademark cover drive during his 40. The Warriors had a good start but late-order batters failed to capitalise on it.

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THAT'S A 50: Johnson Charles of Sharjah Warriors celebrates his half-century against Gulf Giants. The hosts could not maintain their momentum after the loss of the West Indian's wicket.

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TIMBER TIMBRE: Lewis Gregory of Sharjah Warriors is bowled by Chris Jordan of Gulf Giants in the opening match. The England pacer finished with two wickets.

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DECISIVE SPELL: England pacer Jamie Overton produced a clinical spell to claim three wickets, including the dangerous openers to restrict the hosts to 167/7 in 20 overs.

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TASTE OF VICTORY: Gulf Giants players celebrate their win over Sharjah Warriors in the opening match.

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