Match 18, , January 25, 2025, 03:30 PM
151/8(20.0ov)
152/2(14.5ov)
Desert Vipers beat Sharjah Warriorz by 8 wickets
Right then, that is it from the game. The ILT20 action continues as we have a game lined up next between the MI Emirates and the Gulf Giants. The build up for the game has already started so do switch tabs and enjoy the coverage of that game. Cheers!
Khuzaima Tanveer is the Player of the Match for his four fer. He says that he enjoys the game and doesn't take much pressure. Adds that he was just executing the plans that his coaches and seniors had told him. Ends by saying that he is enjoying his time there.
Sam Curran, the skipper of Desert Vipers, says that it feels good to win and their team bowled really well. Adds that the batting has been good and Alex Hales is in good form.
Tim Southee, the skipper of Sharjah Warriorz, says that they were in a good position at the start but failed to carry on with the momentum. Adds that they will look to leave this behind and bounce back.
Presentations coming up...
Earlier in the match, Sharjah Warriorz lost early wickets in the powerplay due to excellent bowling from David Payne, who dismissed Avishka Fernando and Johnson Charles. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Jason Roy then formed a strong 58-run partnership, but Kohler-Cadmore eventually got out after a decent innings. Roy scored 55 runs before also being dismissed. Sharjah was in a good position at 117/3 but suffered a dramatic collapse towards the end. Khuzaima Tanveer had a standout debut with 4 wickets, while Ashton Agar hit two sixes in the final over, helping the team exceed the 150 run mark.
As the game progressed, Hales and Curran shifted gears, accelerating their scoring rate after Hales reached his fifty. This strategic shift enabled them to comfortably reach the target, with Hales remaining unbeaten at 77 and Curran at 54. The Sharjah Warriorz bowlers were unable to contain the Hales-Curran onslaught, with Adam Milne being the only bowler to claim wickets, picking up two early scalps. Sharjah Warriorz will look to regroup and refine their bowling strategy to counter in their following games.
The Desert Vipers have secured a convincing win, becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Despite a shaky start, with Fakhar Zaman and Dan Lawrence departing cheaply, Alex Hales and Sam Curran steadied the ship. They adopted a cautious approach initially, taking advantage of the low required run rate.
In over# 15
6
4
1
4
4
Tim Southee 35/0(2.5)
14.5
6
SIX! That will do! Alex Hales finishes off in style. Short, on off, Alex Hales stands tall and clatters it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Desert Vipers beat Sharjah Warriorz by 8 wickets.
14.4
4
FOUR! Well played! Short and wide, Alex Hales hangs back and slaps it over extra covers for a good looking boundary.
14.3
1
Fuller one, outside off, Sam Curran steers it towards backward point for one.
14.2
4
FOUR MORE! Fifty up for Sam Curran in style! Lands it on off, Sam Curran rocks back and drills it powerfully down the ground for another boundary.
14.1
4
FOUR! Sam Curran moves to 49 now! Back of a length, on off, Sam Curran stands tall and pulls it magnificently over mid-wicket for a boundary.
In over# 14
1
6
1
1
4
6
Adam Zampa 31/0(3)
13.6
1
Full, on off, Sam Curran flicks it to mid-wicket for one.
13.5
6
SIX! All the way! Just 20 more needed now! Slower one, outside off, Sam Curran stays in his crease and plunders it downtown for a biggie. He moves to 44 now!
13.4
1
Slower one, on off, Alex Hales punches it to covers for one.
13.3
1
Short, on off, Sam Curran looks to loft it but gets a top edge. The ball goes in the air and lands safely towards third man. They cross.