Imrul Kayes
Rony Talukdar
Fazle Mahmud
Mohammad Mahmudullah
Ziaur Rahman✱
Nasir Hossain✱
Fidel Edwards
Sheldon Cottrell
Rayad Emrit
Sulieman Benn
Dwayne Bravo
Chris Gayle
Lendl Simmons
Chadwick Walton✱
Raymon Reifer
Jermaine Blackwood
Carlos Brathwaite
Rubel Hossain
Abu Jayed
Kamrul Islam Rabbi
In a pulsating climax at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, West Indies Champions edged Bangladesh Champions by a razor‑thin margin of three runs, thanks to an explosive 90‑run cameo from Chadwick Walton. The match, part of the World Championship of Legends 2026, kept fans on the edge of their seats as the chase came down to the final over, delivering one of the most memorable finishes in recent T20 history.
Match Summary
The toss saw West Indies Champions win and elect to bowl first under clear skies with a temperature hovering around 31.1 °C. Bangladesh Champions posted a formidable total of 218‑4 in their full 20 overs, anchored by Rony Talukdar’s sensational 96 off 56 balls. Talukdar’s innings, peppered with 12 fours and 6 sixes, set the platform, while Fazle Mahmud added a quick‑fire 36 off 22. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the West Indian firepower, with Rayad Emrit the most economical at 2/33 from three overs.
In response, West Indies Champions began their chase with steady intent, but it was Chadwick Walton’s on‑slaught that turned the tide. Walton smashed 90 runs off just 43 deliveries, including 10 fours and 5 sixes, propelling the side to 221‑5 in just 19.1 overs. Chris Gayle contributed a rapid 56 off 25 balls, while Lendl Simmons added a handy 20 off 11. Kamrul Islam Rabbi claimed three wickets for 31 runs in four overs for Bangladesh, but it wasn’t enough to halt the West Indian surge. The final wicket fell with just nine balls remaining, sealing a thrilling three‑run victory for West Indies Champions.
Key Performances
Chadwick Walton (West Indies Champions) – 90 runs off 43 balls (10 fours, 5 sixes). Walton’s masterclass at the top of the order anchored the chase, showcasing a blend of power and timing that left the Sharjah crowd roaring.
Rony Talukdar (Bangladesh Champions) – 96 runs off 56 balls (12 fours, 6 sixes). Talukdar’s near‑century was the highlight of Bangladesh’s innings, keeping them in contention throughout the game.
Chris Gayle (West Indies Champions) – 56 runs off 25 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes). The veteran’s quick‑fire cameo added crucial momentum after Walton’s start.
Rayad Emrit (Bangladesh Champions) – 2 wickets for 33 runs in 3 overs. Emrit’s disciplined spell was one of the few bright spots for Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
Kamrul Islam Rabbi (West Indies Champions) – 3 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs. Rabbi’s breakthroughs kept Bangladesh within touching distance, but the West Indian batsmen proved too strong.
Turning Points
The match swung decisively during the West Indies’ chase when Walton arrived at the crease after an early wicket. His aggressive approach, especially the flurry of boundaries in the 12th over, shifted momentum dramatically. The partnership between Walton and Gayle added 130 runs in just 10 overs, eroding Bangladesh’s confidence.
Another critical moment arrived in the 18th over when Bangladesh needed a wicket. Rabbi’s dismissal of the set batsman Fazle Mahmud for 36 off 22 balls broke a potential partnership, but the damage was already done. The final over saw Bangladesh needing 12 runs with two wickets in hand; a boundary and a dot ball left them needing 4 runs off the last two balls, but a caught‑behind sealed the win for West Indies Champions.
Series Implications
This narrow victory gives West Indies Champions a crucial edge in the World Championship of Legends 2026, positioning them as early front‑runners in the tournament. Bangladesh Champions, despite the loss, demonstrated depth in batting with Talukdar’s near‑century and will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
The result also highlights the importance of explosive top‑order batting in the T20 format. Walton’s 90 will be remembered as a match‑winning innings that exemplifies why the West Indies have a reputation for producing big‑hitters capable of turning games on a dime.
Fans can look forward to more high‑octane encounters as the championship progresses, with both teams eager to claim the ultimate glory in Sharjah and beyond.