Desert Vipers Claim Six-Wicket Victory Over Giants in ILT20

The Desert Vipers took another win in consecutive matches of the ILT20 from the Gulf Giants as they beat the latter six wickets in a low-scoring game in Dubai International Stadium. In 17.4 overs, the minor target of 120 runs was achieved by the Vipers, courtesy of a calm 42 not out which came off an all-rounder Sam Curran, combined with a spurt of 40 runs in just 18 balls from Sherfane Rutherford.

The Giants never really got their innings going at the hands of the pacers from the Vipers, with the captain Lockie Ferguson and Mohammad Amir wreaking havoc at the top and middle order. Ferguson got three wickets, and Amir ended up getting two, which put the Giants in a situation as far as peril was concerned. Although James Vince made a splendid effort by scoring an unbeaten 76 runs, the Giants were restricted to a mere 119 runs at the loss of 9 wickets in the 20 overs they were allotted to bat.

While wickets fell around him, it was Vince’s 62-ball knock that stood out as the only significant contribution from the Giants. Early breakthroughs by Amir and Ferguson left the Giants at 32/3 after six overs. Aayan Afzal Khan lent brief support by scoring 15 runs from 18 balls, including a six off Wanindu Hasaranga, yet the Vipers kept on taking regular wickets to stifle efforts from the Giants.

The Vipers were put immediately under pressure in search of the 120 runs after Mark Adair dismissed Fakhar Zaman and Dan Lawrence in the second over. Curran and Alex Hales steadied the ship at 22/2 after the powerplay. Curran broke the shackles with a six and a four in the seventh over, and the pair added up to 49 runs before Rutherford joined him at the crease.

Hales may have fallen for 20 runs off 30 balls, but Curran proved steady, finding him optimal boundaries to keep chasing on track. Rutherford blasted the 40 runs, which had two sixes in the 18th over. This was enough for the Vipers to cross their target with ease. While the Desert Vipers won by plenty of balls at the end, Curran had remained unbeaten on 42 runs off 43 balls, with four fours and a six.

The Desert Vipers have given a pounding performance with the ball, making it look so easy for them as they continue building up momentum in the tournament.