Dubai: In the 7th match of the ILT20 Season 2 played at the Dubai International Stadium, Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets for 22 runs and Azam Khan’s brilliant innings helped Desert Vipers defeat the defending champions Gulf Giants by 6 wickets. Shaheen Afridi restricted the Giants to 160 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Hasaranga scored 42 runs off 19 balls for the Vipers. He shared 33 balls for the third wicket with Adam Howes. But established a partnership of 57 runs. After that, Azam Khan hit 3 fours and a six off 14 balls to score an unbeaten 26 runs. He also added 41 runs off 19 balls for the fourth wicket with Hose. Adam Howes scored 39 runs off 35 balls with 4 fours. On behalf of Giants, Chris Lynn scored 63 runs off 42 balls with the help of 7 fours and 3 sixes. He formed a partnership of 89 runs from 59 balls with Jordan Cox for the third wicket after which Shaheen Afridi stopped the run. Cox scored 32 runs from 29 balls with the help of a four and a six. Vipers have since moved from the bottom position in the points table to fourth place. Vipers won the toss and decided to bowl. Hasaranga was adjudged Man of the Match.
Shaheen Afridi’s deadly spell of three wickets for 22 runs and breezy knocks from Wanindu Hasaranga and Azam Khan guided Desert Vipers to a six-wicket win over defending champions Gulf Giants in the seventh match of the DP World ILT20 Season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. The clash of the finalists of the first edition saw Afridi’s spell restrict Giants to 160 for 6 in 20 overs.
Vipers won the match with eight balls to spare through Hasaranga’s 42 off just 19 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. He had put on 57 runs in 33 deliveries for the third wicket with Adam Hose. Azam Khan then hit a breezy unbeaten 26 off 14 balls with three boundaries and a six. He too added 41 runs in 19 balls for the fourth wicket with Hose, who hit a sedate 39 runs off 35 balls with four boundaries. Vipers who were at the bottom of the table have now jumped to the fourth place.
For the Giants, Chris Lynn top scored with 63 runs off 42 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes. He put on 89 runs off 59 balls for the third wicket with Jordan Cox before Afridi put the brakes on the run flow. Cox hit 32 off 29 balls with a boundary and a six.
Vipers won the toss and chose to bowl.
Brief scores:
Desert Vipers bt Gulf Giants by 6 wkts.
Gulf Giants 160 for 6 in 20 overs (Chris Lynn 63, Jordan Cox 32, Shaheen Afridi 3 for 22)
Desert Vipers 162 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Alex Hales 21, Adam Hose 39, Wanindu Hasaranga 42, Azam Khan 26n.o, Sherfane Rutherford 20n.o)
Player of the Match: Wanindu Hasaranga