The Desert Vipers are through to their third final in four seasons of the DP World ILT20, after a comprehensive 45-run win over MI Emirates at their home ground in Abu Dhabi.
MI Emirates won the toss and asked the Vipers to bat first, and that was the start of a record-breaking innings, which finished at 233 for 1, the second-highest total in ILT20 history.
Player of the Match Andries Gous and Pakistani opening batter Fakhar Zaman (69 off 50 deliveries) shared a record opening stand of 157, the highest across four seasons of the DP World ILT20. Andries Gous’s unbeaten knock of 120, scored off just 58 deliveries, set a new record for highest individual score in the tournament.
Sam Curran came in at number three with an explosive knock of 38 off just 12 balls as the Vipers hit 85 from the final five overs of their innings.
MI Emirates had a mammoth total to chase, and even though they made a pacy start, the Vipers bowling attack combined to make it impossible to achieve the 234 needed to win. Usman Tariq took three wickets on debut and was the most successful, but Naseem Shah was equally impactful, giving away just 20 runs in his four overs while also picking up a wicket.
Match Scores:
Toss: MI Emirates
Desert Vipers: 233/1 (20 overs)
Top scorers: Andries Gous 120 not out (off 58 deliveries)
Fakhar Zaman 69 (50)
Sam Curran 38 not out (12)
MI Emirates: 188/7 (20 overs)
Top scorer: Tom Banton 63 (27)
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by 45 runs
Player of the Match: Andries Gous
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Andries Gous:
On hitting a match-winning knock of 120 not out, and getting a T20 century after eight years in front of his family:
“Yes, it has been a long time since that last hundred, so I am very happy with that. I have had a few close calls so far but finally being able to get it over the line is really special.
“It is always special having the family over, especially since they flew very far to be here with me for the last few days and for them to be at the game today was special.
“It is always nice when you get into that certain zone and you just know it is going to be a good day and then you have just got to make sure that you do not get carried away too quickly and then build the innings and then once you are in you can really take things apart.”
On sharing a 157-run record opening partnership with Fakhar Zaman:
“Fakhar is truly world-class. It was just a matter of time before he showed how good he really is. I thought we played it really smartly; there was no reckless hitting from us.
“We told each other that if we fancied going after a bowler, we would give each other the freedom to take a bowler apart.
“It was nice to have that confidence in each other to know that no matter what, we would be successful.”
On how it was a good toss to lose because MI Emirates put the Vipers into bat:
“Yes, definitely, and I think it is a good thing for us because we have been bowling first a lot lately so it is a good one to nail down for us batting first as well.
“So we are pretty confident now batting first and bowling first which is very important going into the final.”
Looking ahead to the final on January 4 and his expectations for that game:
“I think today (and the type of game produced) probably will not happen again so we will need to be at our best. It will be a brand-new game, again. Where we finished in the in the league stage or and where we finished now does not mean anything, it is just about stepping up and making sure you contribute on that special day. All that matters is who is going to play a big part in that game.”
The Desert Vipers are through to the DP World ILT20 final and will play their next match in the Dubai International Stadium on January 4 at 6:30 pm.
