The Desert Vipers opened Season 4 with a four-wicket win against The Dubai Capitals, a team they remained winless against through Season 3, including a closely fought final.
Set a target of 151 to win, the Vipers chased it down with an over to spare.
Having won the toss, Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran – standing in for Lockie Ferguson, who is on the verge of a comeback from a hamstring injury – chose for the team to field first.
Noor Ahmad, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer and David Payne took two wickets apiece while Naseem Shah and Sam Curran completed the tally with one wicket each. Noor Ahmad was the most economical of the quintet, on his Vipers debut, proving once again why he is considered one of the world’s best bowlers in this format.
The chase was dominated by Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman and USA wicket-keeper batter Andries Gous who led the charge. Zaman finished with 26 off 15 deliveries, while Gous earned himself Player of the Match with a well struck 58 off just 36 deliveries.
The side endured a brief wobble from 108 for two to 133 for six before Dan Lawrence (19 not out) and Khuzaima bin Tanveer (12 not out) saw the side home with six balls in hand.
Match Scores:
Toss: Desert Vipers
Dubai Capitals: 150/8
Top scorer: Rovman Powell 39(22 deliveries)
Desert Vipers: 151/6 (19 overs)
Top scorer: Andries Gous 58(36 deliveries)
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Andries Gous
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring USA wicketkeeper batter Andries Gous
On playing a winning knock for the team:
“It is good (to do well) when you come into a new team, because you are eager to start well, and I have done that now. It is a nice feeling to get going from the start, so yes I am pretty happy about that.
“I knew I was watching the ball well and I was getting myself into good positions. And then I just told myself, just react to whatever was coming my way, and thankfully it worked out today.”
On how difficult or easy it was to keep to Afghanistan spin bowler Noor Ahmad:
“Noor is just world-class. I have never quite known which way it is spinning when I am batting against him. It is just tough. I am just happy he is on our team.
“But he is truly world-class and it is an unbelievable challenge for me keeping for him.
“I think it will just make my keeping better. But, yes, it is nice keeping to these world-class players and experiencing the different approach of these bowlers. It has been an honour.”
On whether coming into this tournament right after playing the T10 in Abu Dhabi was helpful:
“Yes I think it gave me some confidence. I finished quite well in the last four games of the T10. It almost feels like you have so much time now.
“The T10 was just very quick and you have just got to go from ball one. This just felt like I could take my time, I could just watch the ball and react, and then whatever happened, I could adjust from it. So, it has been pretty cool so far.”
On the team’s chances of doing well against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Sharjah on Friday:
“I think the sky is the limit for this team. We have got unbelievable batting depth, and then we showed tonight that our bowling is just world-class.
“I think the staff and the management have recruited beautifully and we have got a really good side. As long as we stick to our skills and execute our skills, I think we are going to be hard to beat.”
The Desert Vipers next play the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, December 5th, starting at 6:30 pm.
Tickets for all Desert Vipers matches are now available here.
