The Desert Vipers defeated the Sharjah Warriorz for a seventh win in eight matches on Saturday night, a result that guarantees the Vipers a top-two group stage finish, and, more importantly, two shots at securing a berth in the final.
On December 30th, the two leading teams will compete in Qualifier One, where the victor will go forward to that final. However, the losing side has the chance to play in Qualifier two, where they meet the winner of the Eliminator (played between the sides placed 3rd and 4th at the end of the group stage) for another opportunity for a berth in the final.
Against the Warriorz, the Vipers lost the toss, had to bowl first, but they grasped control of the match by taking regular wickets and restricting the scoring rate. Sharjah were bowled out for just 90 in 17.5 overs. Their innings included just six boundaries in all and no sixes.
Player of the Match David Payne led the wicket-taking tally with three, while Khuzaima Bin Tanveer – on his 26th birthday – Naseem Shah and Noor Ahmad took two wickets apiece.
The Desert Vipers’ reply was a bit shaky thanks to some spirited bowling from the Sharjah Warriorz. But in the end they managed to complete the run chase in the fourteenth over with the loss of six wickets on the way.
Sam Curran’s knock of 37 off 31 deliveries helped guide the Vipers to an important success with 37 balls in hand.
Match Scores:
Toss: Sharjah Warriorz
Sharjah Warriorz: 90 (17.5 overs)
Top scorer: Tom Abell 35 not out (off 36 deliveries)
Wicket takers: David Payne 3-14, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer 2-19, Naseem Shah 2-12, Noor Ahmad 2-18, Sam Curran 1-3
Desert Vipers: 91-6 (13.5 overs)
Top scorers: Sam Curran 37 (off 31 deliveries)
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by four wickets
Player of the Match: David Payne 3-14
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Desert Vipers fast bowler Khuzaima Bin Tanveer:
On opening the bowling, taking two wickets and winning a match on his birthday:
“It was a great feeling (to take wickets and win the match on my birthday). My mother called me before the match and she said: ‘You have to win the match and you have to take the wickets as well’, so I think she would be happy now.
“I think if you are going to bowl with the new ball it is easy to get wickets earlier, if you hit the hard length and swing the ball both ways. I just stuck to the plan and focussed on trying to take early wickets.”
On bowling alongside Player of the Match David Payne who took three wickets:
“I think from the very first over he was just hitting the right length and swinging the ball both ways. When he started bowling to Johnson Charles, who is an aggressive batsman, he (David Payne) remained calm. He stuck to the plans and just did all the simple things right – and he was successful as he got named Player of the Match.”
On the Desert Vipers’ run-chase and losing six wickets on the way. Was he nervous for the Vipers at any stage?
“I think the pitch was quite slow as compared to the previous games and really I think we should give the credit to the Sharjah bowlers. The way Taskin Ahmed started the inning and the way Adil Rashid bowled, the way Sikandar Raza bowled (made it tough for us). They bowled really well and that is why they took some early wickets we won by just four wickets.
“No (I was not nervous about the result, even when the Vipers were 30-3 at one stage). I trust the batsmen in my team. I know Sam Curran plays so calmly and the same for Dan Lawrence. I am confident they can make the runs easily across conditions.”
On the Desert Vipers having confirmed a top-two finish in the league stage, ensuring they have two shots at making it to the final:
“I think for any team it is really important that if we want to win the title we must secure our position in the tournament.
“Now I think we have won seven out of eight (matches) and it is really good to be on the top of the table. We will try to be in the finals (at the) first opportunity.”
