Desert Vipers beat defending champions Gulf Giants by six wickets to register their first victory in ILT20 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, January 24.
The Vipers rode on Shaheen Afridi’s 3/22 to restrict the Giants to 160/6 in their 20 overs. Later, Wanindu Hasaranga’s 19-ball 42 and contributions from Adam Hose (39), Azam Khan (26 not out) and Sherfane Rutherford (20 not out) guided the Vipers to a scintillating win in Dubai.
Earlier, Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Pakistan’s trio of Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan made their debut for the Vipers while young Aryan Lakra was also included in the starting XI.
The Vipers got off to a brilliant start as left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir dismissed Gulf Giants captain James Vince (1) in the second over of the game.
In the very next over, Shaheen Afridi showed his class as he cleaned up opener Jamie Smith (5).
Reeling at 7/2, Jordan Cox joined Chris Lynn at the crease. The duo stitched an 89-run partnership for the third wicket to bring the defending champions back into the game.
In the 13th over, left-arm fast bowler Tymal Mills provided the much-needed breakthrough for the Vipers as he got rid of Lynn for 63.
Later, the Giants’ Jordan Cox and Shimron Hetmyer added 26 runs before the Vipers bagged two wickets in a span of five deliveries.
Star leg-spinner Hasaranga deceived Hetmyer as he perished for 11 while Afridi later scalped his second wicket of the match as he removed Cox (32) in the 17th over.
Usman Khan and Chris Jordan later provided some resistance for the Giants as they played few shots in the final overs.
In the 19th over, Afridi dismissed Jordan (14) to finish with impressive figures of 3/22. Afridi’s magnificent spell helped the Vipers restrict the Giants to 160/6 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 161, skipper Munro and Alex Hales walked into bat. The duo forged a 14-run opening stand before Munro (6) departed in the third over.
Last match’s top-scorer Adam Hose joined Hales at the crease. The two swashbuckling batters added 27 runs. However, the Vipers later suffered a huge blow as Hales fell for a 20-ball 21.
Batting at number four, all-rounder Hasaranga showed his attacking intent from the very beginning as he slammed the Giants’ bowlers to all parts of the ground. The right-handed batter scored a blitzkrieg 42 from 19 balls, laced with four fours and two maximums to keep the Vipers in the hunt. He later fell to GG pacer Dominic Drakes.
With 62 runs needed off 45 balls, the flamboyant Azam Khan came into bat. The Pakistan batter hammered Blessing Muzarabani for three boundaries to accumulate 14 runs in the 15th over.
At the other end, Hose continued his good form before he departed for a well-made 39.
Sherfane Rutherford and Azam Khan later stitched an unbeaten 23-run stand to help the Vipers chase down the target in 18.4 overs.
With the comfortable win, the Vipers bagged two crucial points and jumped to fourth in the ILT20 2024 standings.
Having secured their first victory, the Vipers will aim to maintain their winning momentum when they face Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Saturday.
Brief Scores
Gulf Giants 160/6 in 20 overs (Chris Lynn 63, Jordan Cox 32, Shaheen Afridi 3/22) lost to Desert Vipers 162/4 in 18.4 overs (Wanindu Hasaranga 42, Adam Hose 39, Dominic Drakes 2/19) by six wickets
