Bollywood star Preity Zinta watches ILT20 match in Dubai - in pictures

Marcus Stoinis enjoys winning start as Sharjah Warriors beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Rajesh Sharma, of Sharjah Warriors, with Bollywood star and IPL team Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta watch the ILT20 match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, January 28, 2023. All photos: ILT20 / CREIMAS

Andre Russell of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bats during the ILT20 match against Sharjah Warriors at the Dubai International Stadium.

Rajesh Sharma, of Sharjah Warriors, with Preity Zinta at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.

Paul Walter of Sharjah Warriors takes a catch of Andre Russell.

Dhananjaya de Silva of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bats against Sharjah Warriors.

Spectators in the Sharjah Warriors Box at the Dubai International Stadium.

Paul Walter of Sharjah Warriors celebrates the wicket of Joe Clarke of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Mohammad Nabi of Sharjah Warriors takes a catch of Joe Clarke of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Paul Stirling of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.

Paul Stirling of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders raises his bat after scoring a fifty.

Mohammad Nabi of Sharjah Warriors fields in Dubai.

Naveen-ul-Haq of Sharjah Warriors attempts a run out.

Naveen-ul-Haq of Sharjah Warriors takes catch of Dhananjaya de Silva.

Andre Russell of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bats in Dubai on Saturday.

Joe Denly of Sharjah Warriors and Sunil Narine of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the toss.

Marcus Stoinis enjoyed a winning start to his brief stint in the DP World International League T20 as Sharjah Warriors beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai.

The Australian has jetted into the UAE after his Melbourne Stars side ended their campaign in the Big Bash League.

The T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder will play four matches for Sharjah before heading back to Australia to play Sheffield Shield cricket.

His contribution on debut for his new team was minimal. He was not required to bowl, as the Warriors limited the Knight Riders to 149 for four from their 20 overs at Dubai International Stadium.

He then made nine with the bat as Sharjah breezed to a four-wicket win with three overs to spare. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Afghan opener, top scored with a half-century in the run chase.

Sharjah’s win, which took them to fourth in the table and keeps them in pursuit of a playoff place, was again watched by Preity Zinta, the Bollywood actress who has announced herself as being a fan of the franchise.