ILT20 2025 : Avishka Fernando’s Breath-Taking Fifty Powers Sharjah Warriorz To A Commanding Victory Over Dubai Capitals

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Avishka Fernando electrified the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a blistering inning, leading the Warriorz to a record-breaking chase in International League T20 (ILT20) history. Chasing 202 against the Dubai Capitals, Avishka Fernando smashed an extraordinary 81 runs off just 27 balls, reaching his half-century in a record-breaking 16 balls–the fastest in the tournament’s history.

Avishka Fernando’s pyrotechnics made a chase of 202 runs look quite easier than it was as the Sharjah Warriorz rode on the Sri Lankan opener’s breathtaking knock to seal their second win of the ongoing ILT20 at home ground on Friday, January 17. Avishka Fernando played a majestic hand of 81 off just 27 balls as the Warriorz chased down 202 against the Dubai Capitals in a canter, with 11 balls to spare. Avishka Fernando smashed the fastest fifty in ILT20 history as he broke a few records during his blitzkrieg.

Pitch Report and Toss

Pitch report: There’s more grass for the bowlers. The average score last year was 143 last year, so it’s not that a high-scoring ground. The batters can play through the line. The seam bowlers will be happy as the ball will move laterally due to the grass.

Toss : Sharjah Warriorz skipper Tim Southee won the toss and have opted to field with three changes in the playing XI. Dubai Capitals skipper Sikandar Raza batting first is happy doing so on a new wicket at a new venue.

Shai Hopes 83 runs powers Dubai Capitals to 201 for 5  in 20 overs

In the first innings, the Dubai Capitals made the most of the fielding restrictions. Ben Dunk showcased his intent early, smashing two fours and a six, while Hope complemented him with three crisp boundaries. However, Dunk’s promising innings came to an end when an acrobatic effort from Keemo Paul off Adam Milne’s bowling saw him depart. The Capitals reached a solid 50/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Brandon McMullen continued the momentum before he was picked up by Adil Rashid on 22 runs in 14 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza joined Hope, and the pair ensured the run rate didn’t drop with a 67-run stand in 37 balls. Shai Hope brought up a 36-ball half-century that saw three fours and two sixes, in the 14th over. Raza departed for 27 runs in 20 balls, when he holed out to a sharp catch from Adam Milne, off Karim Janat.

Rovman Powell unleashed a barrage of sixes against the Warriorz, racing to 28 runs in 15 balls, including an 18-run over against Karim Janat. Meanwhile, Hope continued his sensational form smashing two consecutive sixes in of Adam Milne in the 19th over as well. Tim Southee brought some control to the final over, dismissing Powell and Dasun Shanaka in quick succession. Despite his efforts, the Capitals crossed the 200-run mark, finishing at 201/5.

Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking fifty powers Sharjah Warriorz to victory over Dubai Capital

Facing a steep target, Johnson Charles ensured the Sharjah Warriorz stayed on track in the first few overs. Supported by Jason Roy on one end, Charles took on the Capitals’ attack, carving three fours and three sixes on the way to 37 runs in 19 balls. His onslaught was halted in the final over of the powerplay, dismissed by Olly Stone to leave the Warriorz at 56/1.

Dushmantha Chameera then broke through with the wicket of Jason Roy in the seventh over for 26 runs. Coming in at number three, Avishka Fernando came to life in the ninth over tearing into Gulbadin Naib for a six and two fours in consecutive deliveries. UAE’s Rohan Mustafa also chipped in with 17 runs and vital boundaries until he was Chameera’s second wicket of the night bringing the score to 132/3 in 12.1 overs.

Avishka Fernando reached his fifty off just 16 deliveries, as he went past the ILT20 record of 18 balls, set by Desert Vipers’ Azam Khan in 2024 against the Gulf Giants. Fernando’s 27-ball 81 came at a strike rate of 300, which was more than the likes of Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya and Quinton de Kock for players having the highest strike rate in an innings in T20 cricket with a minimum of 20 balls played with Abhishek Sharma at the top of the list with his knock of 106* off just 29 deliveries, striking at 365.51.

Avishka Fernando showcased sheer dominance as he shattered the ILT20 record for the fastest half-century, racing to the milestone in just 16 balls. Avishka Fernando then struck three consecutive sixes against Gulbadin Naib in a 27-run over, also marking the most runs conceded in an over in ILT20 history. Avishka Fernando’s assault finally subsided when Obed McCoy scalped him, caught behind in the 16th over. Luke Wells remained composed to put up 31 runs in 17 balls to help the Warriorz sail home comfortably.

Avishka Fernando looked good to break some fastest century records as well before Obed McCoy dismissed him. However, there wasn’t much left in the game and Luke Wells put the finishing touches to get his side home. While Warriorz came back to the winning ways, the Capitals suffered their second successive defeat.

Presentations and Road Ahead

Tim Southee the winning SW skipper said :  To chase down a score like that and that innings from Fernando was incredible. To get off the plane in the morning and do that is special. Plenty of things to improve, the fielding and with the ball, always easy to do after a win.

Was a good wicket, if you executed with the ball it was good but if you missed it made it slightly harder. Hope played beautifully and Fernando was outstanding for us. Couple of guys were sick and it shows the depth of the team when others come and perform.

Sikandar Raza the loosing DC skipper said : The first two games the batting did not come to the party but today we did really well. Normally you don’t see 202 at Sharjah. Sharjah has been one of the grounds when the wicket plays a part, it tends to stay low. 202 I felt was a good score and we should have been able to win the game. Shai everywhere he goes is one of the leading run scorers, long may it continue and hopefully the others step up and we get to see Dubai Capitals’ players get the player of the match awards and not the opponents.

The surface got better because of the dew and our catching let us down. I know Avishka batted well but had we taken him early on, it could have been a different story. We have a game tomorrow and if we win that, we can get the momentum.

Avishka Fernando Player of the match for his record breaking 83 runs said as been translated from Sinhala by Bhanuka Rajapaksa : Focusing on my natural game and thank the lord for today’s knock. The wicket was nice to bat today, the thoughts when chasing 200 was to be positive, it came naturally and thankful for that. I did not realize that I have broken the record for the fastest-ever 50.

Avishka Fernando electrified the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a blistering inning, leading the Warriorz to a record-breaking chase in International League T20 history. Chasing 202 against the Dubai Capitals, Fernando smashed an extraordinary 81 runs off just 27 balls, reaching his half-century in a record-breaking 16 balls the fastest in the tournament’s history, a release from the league said.

Avishka Fernando’s innings, featuring eight massive sixes and six fours, ensured the Warriorz scaled the target in 18.1 overs with five wickets in hand. Earlier in the evening, Shai Hope played a pivotal role for the Capitals, compiling 83 runs to help his team post a challenging 201/5.

The highest-ever chase in ILT20 history and this has been done in style with 11 balls to go. Avishka Fernando was special tonight. Some of the cleanest striking you’ll ever see and he was sensational. Sent three balls out of the ground and forced changes to the ball. He started with a six and did not stop.

The others just had to bat around him and before him, Charles set the tempo even though Roy struggled. Mustafa chipped in with a cameo and Wells finished it off as he ensured he was there at the end. But it was Avishka’s innings that was the highlight – he got the fastest-ever ILT20 fifty in 16 balls and never looked back. The catching from the Capitals was a letdown and there were too many freebies offered while bowling. Raza at times was seen looking on helplessly. Something to work on for the Capital.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights


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