Aayan Khan led Gulf Giants to a six-wicket win over Sharjah Warriorz at Dubai International Stadium, taking three wickets and becoming the first UAE player to be named Player of the Match this ILT20 season.
His spell of 3-17 checked the Warriorz at 157 for six. The Giants replied with 158 for four, reaching the target with two balls left.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave the chase early shape with 50 from 36 balls. He and James Vince put on 73 for the first wicket inside the powerplay, taking 21 off Wasim Akram’s second over. Vince fell for 35, and the Warriorz spinners slowed the scoring, but Gurbaz pushed on to a half-century before Sikandar Raza removed him.
The chase tightened in the middle overs, with only 48 runs scored between the sixth and 16th. Gerhard Erasmus and Azmatullah Omarzai had 47 needed from 39 balls when they came together. Omarzai settled it in the final over, hitting Tim Southee for six before falling the next ball.
Sharjah had made a steady start earlier, reaching 48 for one in the powerplay after Mark Adair dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Johnson Charles made 36, and Kusal Mendis added 23, but the innings turned once Aayan entered the attack. He removed both set batters, then dismissed Tim David to leave the Warriorz at 94 for four.
Liam Dawson backed him up with 1-21. The Giants still had to weather a late push from Dwaine Pretorius, who struck 36 from 17 balls, and Adil Rashid, who added 12 from six. Their stand lifted Sharjah to a competitive total, helped by a 20-run over off Omarzai.
Aayan said he was pleased to return to the attack after missing recent games. “It was a spinning pitch and I’m happy to take a few wickets,” he said. “Bowling four overs felt really good.”
Warriorz captain Tim Southee said his side had pushed the contest further than expected after a tough powerplay. “Going 0–3 is not where we want to be,” he said. “But we have a chance in a couple of days to put that right.”
The result leaves the Warriors winless after three matches. The Giants stay second with three wins from four.
