Dubai, UAE (July 24, 2026) – The Desert Vipers opened their ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League campaign with a 38-run defeat at the hands of the Lahore Qalandars from the Pakistan Super League.
The Qalandars won the toss and chose to bat first, and Player of the Match and captain Michael Bracewell (46 not out from 23 balls) and Parvez Emon (with an unbeaten 47 from 33 deliveries) led the charge, adding a tournament-record fifth-wicket stand of 83 from 46 balls to help Lahore to a more than competitive 176/4 in their allocated 20 overs. A total of 67 runs came from the final five overs of the innings, with 40 from the final three overs.
Khary Pierre, one of eight players in the Vipers line-up making their first starts for the franchise, was the pick of the bowlers for the DP World ILT20 champion side, taking two important wickets to finish with two for 14. There was also a wicket apiece for two other debutants, New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith and 19-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes.
The Desert Vipers got their run chase off to a steady start through openers Andries Gous and Kyle Mayers, who shared a 70-run stand in 8.4 overs.
But on a slow, low surface which made run-scoring very difficult as the ball got older, especially for new batters coming in and needing to score quickly, the middle and lower order were unable to maintain the start provided by Gous in particular, with the team finishing on 138/9.
Gous, the leading run-scorer in the recent Major League Cricket in the United States, made a fluent 56 from 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Desert Vipers spin bowler Khary Pierre.
On what went wrong for the Desert Vipers
“I think they (Lahore Qalandars) found the formula in terms of batting first and setting a score and trying to put pressure on the next batting team to try and make the runs.
“I know they (Lahore Qalandars) made a good score. I think we could have restricted them a little more, by about 20 or 25 runs less. But having said that, I think they played well.
“I think we could have executed a lot better, using our slower balls and hitting that length, going across them, and there was a big breeze factor from one side of the field to the other as well. Little things like that we could have done better as a team, but it is the first game and I would not fault anyone; we could have executed better but well played to their batters as well.”
On what was behind his successful bowling stint for the Vipers, where he finished with figures of 2-14 in three overs
“I think it was important to not get too predictable on these kinds of surfaces. The batsmen are looking for you just to bowl wicket to wicket and on the stumps. So, for me, I just tried to vary my pace a lot and carry the batsmen wider and have them thinking.
“And I think that is what caused my two wickets today, having that variation of not only bowling on the stumps, but slowing down my pace a little, wide and straight and stuff like that. I think it worked today fabulously.”
On Andries Gous’ knock of 56, albeit in a losing cause
“Yes, he is in a rich vein of form as you can see. He dominated the Major League Cricket tournament and he has transitioned that into this tournament. He played very well and I wish he could have carried his bat a little longer, and I think with him there, we could have won the game still.
“I think he played very well and he was timing the ball nicely. He is a touch player and he showed that today.”
On how the Desert Vipers’ next game against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Saturday is a must-win game
“I think all the games are must-win games, to be honest. It is a short, sharp tournament and you have to try and win as many games as possible.
“We would want to try and get that top spot and if we cannot get that top spot, we have to try and secure second.”
The Desert Vipers next play defending champions the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Saturday at 7pm local time. Guyana already have a win under their belt after beating the San Francisco Unicorns on Thursday.
