Pathirana, Akram blow away Gulf Giants with three-fers

A day ahead of the IPL auction, Matheesha Pathirana bagged a three-fer as Sharjah Warriorz scripted their second win of the season. The Sri Lankan ended with figures of 4-1-19-3 as the Warriorz restricted the Gulf Giants to 163 for 9, chasing a target of 175. Wasim Akram also picked up a three-wicket haul (3-34). Tom Abell did the bulk of the scoring for the Warriorz with 68 off 41 in the first innings to set a competitive total.

Batting first, Tom Kohler-Cadmore was dismissed cheaply for six by Fred Klaasen. Johnson Charles hit two boundaries but holed out in the final over of the PowerPlay. This was sandwiched by Abell smashing back-to-back sixes and a four off Klaasen for 19 runs in the fifth over.

Abell and James Rew then put on 71 runs together, targeting the spin of Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali. Abell brought up his 50 off 32 balls, including a beautiful inside-out drive over extra-cover for six, before falling to Aayan Khan. A couple of overs later, Rew was bowled by Chris Wood. Dwaine Pretorius then played a cameo of 28 off 13, including 16 runs off Matthew Forde in the 18th over, before being run out off the final ball.

In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dropped in the first over. Wasim Akram dismissed the in-form Pathum Nissanka for three. Gurbaz hit a four and a six off Taskin Ahmed but Akram removed James Vince for a duck. The Giants continued to lose wickets, with Johnson Charles falling to Akram. It worsened as Pathirana bowled the dangerous Gurbaz with an off-cutter, leaving the Giants at 38 for 4 in 4.3 overs.

Moeen Ali (45) and Azmatullah Omarzai (41) then put on 79 runs together across the next 10 overs to revive the chase. Just as the partnership threatened, Akram claimed his third wicket with Omarzai's dismissal. Pathirana then had Matthew Forde caught, and Pretorius removed Asif Khan. Pathirana sealed the win with the wicket of Moeen before the Giants finished on 163 for 9.

Brief Scores: Sharjah Warriorz 174/6 in 20 overs (Tom Abell 68, James Rew 33; Chris Wood 2-26) beat Gulf Giants 163/9 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 45, Azmatullah Omarzai 41; Matheesha Pathirana 3-19, Wasim Akram 3-34) by 11 runs.