Aayal QureshiAbu Dhabi, UAE – The Desert Vipers kicked off their DPWorld International League T20 (ILT20) campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket victory against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Half-centuries from Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran ensured a comfortable chase of the 167-run target.
Lawrence dazzled with 70 runs off 39 balls, while Curran remained unbeaten on 50 from 37 deliveries, anchoring the Vipers to a solid win.
Earlier in the day, the Vipers opted to field first. Phil Salt anchored the Knight Riders’ innings with a steadfast 71 runs from 49 balls. Alishan Sharafu contributed a vital 46, while Andre Russell added a quick-fire 30 runs, pushing the Knight Riders to a total of 166/5.
The Vipers’ run chase began smoothly with a solid 46 runs in the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman’s 23 runs were cut short by Russell, while Alex Hales’ cautious 10 runs ended with a dismissal by Sunil Narine, placing the Vipers at 56/2.
Lawrence and Curran then combined for a match-winning partnership of 95 runs in 59 balls. Lawrence led the charge with 71 runs, including four sixes and five boundaries. Curran’s measured half-century featured two fours and a six.
Shahid Bhutta broke the partnership, dismissing Lawrence in the 18th over. With just 16 runs required, Sherfane Rutherford joined Curran, leading the Vipers to their target in 18.4 overs, finishing at 168/3.
In the first innings, the Knight Riders struggled in the powerplay, losing Kyle Mayers to Mohammad Amir and Joe Clarke to Lockie Ferguson, leaving them at 19/2 in 4.1 overs. Salt’s unbeaten 71, supported by Sharafu’s 46 and Russell’s explosive 30, guided the Knight Riders to 166/5 in 20 overs.
Reflecting on his performance and experience at the ILT20, Player of the Match Dan Lawrence said, “The situation was quite nice to come into, knowing I had to give myself time. From the hotel to how the coaches treat you, this is probably the most professional set-up.”
Knight Riders’ skipper Sunil Narine commented on the loss, “We did well to get back in the game. We had a tough powerplay and we obviously wanted more runs. The key was the difference in the first six overs.”
Brief Scores:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 166/5 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 71, Alishan Sharafu 46, Lockie Ferguson 1/26) vs Desert Vipers 168/3 in 18.4 overs (Dan Lawrence 70, Sam Curran 50, Andre Russell 1/15).
Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the DP World ILT20!
