Match 5, , January 14, 2025, 08:00 PM
Gulf Giants
119/9(20.0ov)
Desert Vipers
121/4(17.4ov)
Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Sam Curran
Commentry
Right then, that will be it from this contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. Do join in tomorrow for Match 6 in the ILT20, 2025 where the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will take on the Sharjah Warriorz at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. That game will start at 2.30 pm GMT. But as you know, you can always join early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!
Sam Curran wins the Player of the Match award for his measured knock. Shares that he is happy to be here for the start of the tournament. Adds that it was almost a bit of Test match cricket out there, he had to trust his defence. Ends by sharing that he knew that the best bowlers will be used up-top so he adjusted accordingly.
Lockie Ferguson, the winning skipper of the Desert Vipers is up for a chat. He says that it was a tough wicket to bat but pleased with the win. Mentions that it was a good toss to lose. Closes by saying that the players know what to do and that's the best thing a captain could ask for.
James Vince, the Gulf Giants skipper is up for a chat. He says that it was tough to bat first. Adds that they played here the other night but the rain last night has added some moisture. Shares that they didn't bat well and 120 was always going to be tough to defend. Lauds the bowlers who did a good job but there were not enough resources for him to defend. Ends by sharing that they will hope to come back strong.
Time for the post-match presentations...
The Gulf Giants did not have a huge score to defend but they fought hard and took the game deeper than anticipated. Mark Adair bowled a splendid spell of 2/12 off his four overs while Tymal Mills and Blessing Muzarabani also did a decent job. The game was in balance till the 12th over but Sherfane Rutherford came in to up the ante and took the game away from the Giants. Earlier today, the Giants batted first and posted a below par 119, thanks to a solid 76 from James Vince while Lockie Ferguson and Mohammad Amir did the bulk of the damage with the ball for the Vipers who make it two out of two while the Giants have slumped to their second loss of the competition.
A hard-fought run-chase from the Desert Vipers sees them defeat the Gulf Giants by 6 wickets with more than two overs to spare. Chasing a modest score of 120 for the win, the Vipers were two down inside the first two overs post which Sam Curran and Alex Hales added a crucial 49-run stand. Hales departed for a scratchy 20 while Azam Khan followed him soon after. Sherfane Rutherford (40 off 18 balls) joined Sam Curran (42 off 43 balls) in the middle and stitched an unbeaten 55-run partnership to take the Vipers home.
In over# 18
6
2
6
4
Blessing Muzarabani 36/1(3.4)
17.4
6
SMASHED! Sherfane Rutherford seals the deal for the Desert Vipers! Short of a length delivery on off. Rutherford picks the length and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
17.3
2
Short of a length on off. Sherfane Rutherford pulls and gets the top edge over the keeper for a couple.
17.2
6
SIX! UP AND AWAY! Banged short down the leg. Sherfane Rutherford picks the length and hammers the pull over fine leg into the top tier for a biggie.
17.1
4
FOUR! Helped Away! Skiddy length ball on the leg. Sherfane Rutherford swivels and pulls this to fine leg for four runs.
In over# 17
0
0
0
0
1
4
Rehan Ahmed 5/0(1)
16.6
.
Loud shout for LBW but the umpire is unmoved. Fullish delivery angling at the middle and leg stump. Curran goes for a sweep but misses to get hit on his front pad. James Vince signals for a review. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and ball tracking shows that it would've missed the stumps.
16.5
.
Floated up on leg stump, Sam Curran looks to slog and misses. Knocks him on the front pad, but the line was going down leg.
16.4
.
Quicker on the stumps. Curran has nudged it away to the right of a diving mid-wicket.
16.3
.
Fullish delivery angling at the pads. Curran misses the nudge and it brushes the pads to go to fine leg.
16.2
1
Flatter around off. Punched through covers for one.
16.1
4
FOUR! In the air and lands safe! Dropped short on the middle and leg. Sherfane Rutherford rocks back and pulls toward deep backward square leg. Saghir Khan runs in to take the catch but the ball falls in front of him and rolls away to the ropes.