Twitter Reactions: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders end campaign with maiden victory against Sharjah Warriors

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bid farewell to the ILT20 2023 after registering their first victory of the tournament against the Sharjah Warriors. Joe Clarke's swashbuckling half-century was enough to guide his side to victory after Sharjah Warriors posted a lowly 130 in their first innings.

Chasing a below-par total for their first win of the tournament, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders got off to a rollicking start. The opening pair of Joe Clarke and Paul Stirling took full advantage of the field restrictions, with the former looking in a menacing mood.

Clarke took a liking to the pacers, especially Junaid Siddique, smashing the 30-year-old for 20 runs in his first over, which included two maximums and two boundaries. He continued his assault against the other bowlers and raced a 23-ball half-century to kill the contest inside the first eight overs of the chase.

Even though the opener was dismissed soon after he reached his half-century, his side were in a comfortable position, needing less than a run a ball to win the game with plenty of batters left in the shed. The Knight Riders did lose a flurry of wickets in the end but the breathtaking assault from their opener always had them in control of the chase.

Knight Riders' bowlers set up their first win of the tournament

Earlier in the match, The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field first in search of their first victory of the tournament. Sharjah Warriors got off to a stuttering start as mercurial opener Dawid Malan departed cheaply. His opening partner Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who has been one of the stars of the inaugural edition, held firm from the other end.

He added a valiant stand with Evin Lewis to steady the ship for the visitors, but Lewis' departure triggered an abysmal collapse from the Warriors, which saw them lose seven wickets for just 27 runs. A brisk cameo from Chris Benjamin ensured that the bowlers had something to defend in the second innings as their side finished with a lowly score of 130 runs in their 20 overs. Apart from Andre Russell, every Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bowler contributed with at least a wicket.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' first win of the tournament:

A night to remember for @ADKRiders! 👏👏#ADKRvSW #HarBallBawaal #CricketOnZee pic.twitter.com/QbUkNtifnO

— Zee Cricket (@ilt20onzee) February 4, 2023

@Russell12A really manifested this win! ✨@ILT20Official @ilt20onzee @ZEE5India @ADKRiders @SharjahWarriors#HarBallBawaal #CricketOnZee #ADKRvSW pic.twitter.com/zWFvylJSmq

— ZEE5 Shows (@ZEE5Shows) February 4, 2023

Now Playing📽️: 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗞𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗡𝗼 𝗚𝗵𝗮𝗺... 💜#ADKRvSW #BornToStorm #DPWorldILT20 pic.twitter.com/nkEUBX22FD

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 4, 2023

A well-crafted innings by the @ADKRiders' opener, Joe Clarke 🤩 #DPWorldILT20 #ALeagueApart #ADKRvSW pic.twitter.com/8ShtXjdDty

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) February 4, 2023

The atmosphere in the Zayed Cricket Stadium is simply sensational tonight! 📸

LIVE the #DPWorldILT20 match experience! 😍

Book your tickets from the link in bio.#DPWorldILT20 #ALeagueApart #ADKRvSW pic.twitter.com/3h34WTGz0o

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) February 4, 2023

STIR-ring it up! 🔥@stirlo90 #ADKRvSW #BornToStorm #DPWorldILT20 pic.twitter.com/1ocNAFt5u6

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 4, 2023

pic.twitter.com/lUNuWRjDxH https://t.co/guHwxyUD0A

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 4, 2023

ADKR: 71/0 (6)

We have one question for you...#ADKRvSW #BornToStorm #DPWorldILT20 pic.twitter.com/TBoI8SN11D

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 4, 2023

pic.twitter.com/OjNLSmUWqC

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) February 4, 2023

Not our night, but we'll see you in Sharjah 🤝@ilt20official @ilt20onzee#ShaanSeSharjah | #ShaanSeWarriors | #SharjahWarriors | #DPWorldILT20 | #ADKRvSW pic.twitter.com/oeEyk7fPAb

— Sharjah Warriors (@SharjahWarriors) February 4, 2023