The Desert Vipers began their campaign in this year’s DP World ILT20 with a convincing seven-wicket win against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The Vipers’ new skipper Lockie Ferguson won the toss and chose to bowl first and the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders recovered well from a few early setbacks and led by former Viper Phil Salt (71 not out from 49 balls) and Andre Russell (30 from 14 deliveries), they reached 166 for four.
The run chase began in promising fashion through another newcomer, Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman, and former England opening batter Alex Hales. But it was former England Under-19 teammates Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran who brought the game home for the Vipers.
Lawrence was named Player of the Match for his knock of 70 off 39 deliveries, while Curran remained unbeaten at 50 in 37 balls. The duo added 95 in 10 overs and the Vipers chased down the target with eight balls to spare.
Match Scores:
Toss: DV won the toss and chose to field first
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 166/5 (20 overs)
Top scorer: Phil Salt 71(49)
Desert Vipers: 168/3 (18.4 overs)
Top scorers:
Dan Lawrence 70(39)
Sam Curran 50 not out
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by seven wickets
Player of the Match: Dan Lawrence
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match podcast featuring Desert Vipers all-rounder Sam Curran:
On Dan Lawrence’s match-winning knock of 70:
“Yes, that was a really, really great knock. I know Dan (Lawrence) really well. We played in the England Under- 19s together. Now he is at Surrey as well, which is great, and we have played a little bit of stuff in other parts of the world together. I think I actually watched him bat in the nets yesterday at training and he was smoking it everywhere. So, to see him hit the ball like that and be really positive and timing the ball extremely well is a great sign for us.
“And he is also here for a long period of time this season as well. I think that is a really nice thing in the Vipers this season. I think there is a lot of stability and the core is going to be here the whole way through, which I think is really important in tournament cricket.
“So, yes, I am really pleased for Dan and I am sure we will take big confidence from this win.”
On his own knock of 50 not out:
“I guess it is really pleasing to feel in good nick in my first innings and to kind of stamp my mark on the tournament. And I think I am really in a good headspace in terms of knowing that I will be here the whole season and contribute, whereas last year I obviously came in just for the two games.
“So it is good to have a full season here and really get the chance to get stuck in with the bat, ball and in the field. So yes, I will take some confidence going forward.”.
The Desert Vipers’ next match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on Tuesday, January 14th, against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, starting at 6:30 PM.
