In a spectacular display of power-hitting, England's Liam Livingstone single-handedly dismantled the Sharjah Warriorz bowling attack, guiding the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a commanding 39-run victory in their opening match of the World ILT20 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, December 4.
Livingstone's Carnage Sets Up Mammoth Total
The match was decisively shaped by one incredible innings. Liam Livingstone remained unbeaten on a devastating 82 runs from just 38 deliveries, an innings that included five sixes and seven fours. His assault was particularly brutal in the final over, where he plundered a record 33 runs off Dwayne Pretorius, hammering five sixes including four in succession.
This explosive finish propelled the Knight Riders to a formidable total of 233 for 4, which stands as the second-highest score in the history of the ILT20 league. Livingstone found able support from Sherfane Rutherford, who scored a quickfire 45 from 27 balls during a crucial 95-run partnership that rescued the innings after the Knight Riders were 88/3.
The foundation was laid earlier by openers Alex Hales (32 off 19) and Alishan Sharafu (34 off 23), who provided a brisk start. For the Warriorz, leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the most effective bowler, finishing with figures of 2 for 31.
Warriorz Chase Falls Short Despite David's Heroics
Facing a daunting target, the Sharjah Warriorz innings never truly gained the required momentum. They lost key wickets early, stumbling to 56 for 3 within the first seven overs with the dismissals of Johnson Charles, Tom Abell, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
A glimmer of hope emerged through the blistering bat of Tim David. The big-hitting Australian launched a stunning counter-attack, racing to a 21-ball half-century. He smashed Piyush Chawla for three consecutive sixes in the ninth over and finished with 60 runs from a mere 24 balls, striking six sixes. However, his dismissal in the 13th over by Ajay Kumar, with the score at 120/6, effectively ended the contest.
Dwayne Pretorius (39 off 20) and Adil Rashid (25 off 11) played entertaining cameos towards the end, with Rashid hitting Andre Russell for three sixes in the penultimate over. But the asking rate had soared beyond reach, and the Warriorz finished their 20 overs at 194 for 9, falling short by 39 runs.
Where to Watch the ILT20 Action in India
For fans in India eager to catch the thrilling action of the World ILT20, the exclusive broadcasting rights are held by the Zee Network. The matches can be watched live on Zee's linear TV channels, including &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai SD, and Zee Cinemalu.
On digital platforms, the live streaming is available on the OTT platform Zee5. As the exclusive digital partner, Zee5 Hindi is also offering free-to-view streaming of the tournament, making it accessible to a wide audience of cricket enthusiasts across the country.
