The Desert Vipers fell to a six-wicket loss at the hands of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in Abu Dhabi. This was their second loss to ADKR, and in the DP World ILT20, this season.
Put into bat, the Vipers struggled to 154 for eight with captain Colin Munro the only player to make a significant contribution, with 50 from 44 deliveries. Sherfane Rutherford made 28, and they were key to getting the Vipers past the 150 mark.
Led by UAE batter Alishan Sharafu, who remained unbeaten on 82 off 47 balls, ADKR chased down the target comfortably, winning with 16 balls to spare.
Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast after the match, Sherfane Rutherford said the team were not at their best, but given the tight schedule, he said they would need to quickly correct their mistakes and come back in better form. Quotes from that interview and from the fast-bowling coach Azhar Mahmood are included below.
Match Scores:
Toss: ADKR won the toss and chose to field first
Desert Vipers: 154/8 (20 overs)
Top scorer: Colin Munro 50 (44)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 160/4 (17.2 overs)
Match Result: ADKR won by six wickets with 16 balls to spare.
Player of the Match: Alishan Sharafu 82* (47)
Here are some quotes from a post-match interview with Desert Vipers Fast Bowling Coach Azhar Mahmood:
“The ball was gripping early on and I thought 155 to 160 was a good score, but having said that the par score here is between 180 and 190 and we were about 20 runs short. In the end, although we got early wickets, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a good partnership between Imad Wasim and Alishan Sharafu.
“We did not execute well with the ball, we did not use the big boundary, and allowed them to play their shots.
“Tomorrow is another game, and we have a world-class bowling lineup. We need to reflect on where we made mistakes, and we have to make sure we do not repeat them.”
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match podcast featuring Desert Vipers player Sherfane Rutherford:
“It is one of those days when things did not go well for us. I think 150 was always below par, we were about 20 or 30 runs short. Having said that, I think we lost wickets in clusters, and when that happens it tends to push you on the backfoot.
“I think it is a learning for us, but we have to learn fast because the games will come thick and fast, and it is for us to look in the mirror and correct our small mistakes and come back better tomorrow.”
“I do not think the toss decides the game, I think if we had batted properly we could have won the game. Having said that, I also think the Knight Riders bowled with a plan. As a team, we need to look back at ourselves and try and see where we can correct a few things. In tournaments like these, these things do happen, it is just for us to bounce back.
“Colin Munro’s innings kept us in the game, he actually set it up, so when I came in at the back end I could give them a push, but it did not happen for me or the team. An innings like that (of Colin) is one positive out of the game.
“I do not think we have batted well; we are yet to score 170 in this tournament, and on these good wickets, with such good players, I think runs on the board is important.
“Sunday’s game is a must-win game because in these tournaments you do not want to be catching up. They are all good teams playing, and if you find yourself in a position where you need to catch up, it becomes even harder. I think it is important for us to learn fast and come tomorrow and get a second win. Tomorrow is a new day and we are ready to go again.”
The Desert Vipers are back in action on Sunday, January 28th, when they take on the Sharjah Warriors in Sharjah.
Tickets for all Desert Vipers matches are now on sale and can be purchased via the official DP World ILT20 website or at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE.
