News DeskDubai, UAE (Jan 14, 2025) – The Desert Vipers’ six-wicket win against the Gulf Giants with 14 balls in hand might, on the face of it, sound like a comfortable success. But on a surface that challenged the batters of both sides it was anything but straightforward.
Player of the Match Sam Curran and his chief partner-in-crime Sherfane Rutherford, powered through on a tricky pitch, which earlier saw the Gulf Giants struggling to score runs. Giants captain James Vince, with an unbeaten 76 from 62 deliveries, was one of only two players on his side who reached double digits as they scrambled to 119 for nine in their 20 overs. The Vipers then fought hard for the win despite being seven for two and 66 for four.
Match Scores:
Toss: DV won the toss and chose to field first
Gulf Giants: 119/9 (20 overs)
Top scorer: James Vince 76 not out
Desert Vipers: 121/4 (17.4 overs)
Top scorers:
Sam Curran 42 not out
Sherfane Rutherford 40 not out
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by six wickets
Player of the Match: Sam Curran
Quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match podcast featuring Desert Vipers batter Alex Hales:
On conditions proving testing for batters:
“I think it felt tricky and there was a fair bit of swing. I think it was still swinging in the 12th and 13th over. There was a little bit of seam as well so it was tricky. It was really hard to find any rhythm and they (Gulf Giants) had some very skilful swing bowlers which obviously made it a little bit harder.
“I think when Blessing (Muzarabani) came in and hit the pitch hard as well it was also pretty tricky. It was a little bit two-paced so I think you have to give credit to Vincey (James Vince)for the way he played to score 70-odd not out on that, it is a great effort.
“Obviously Sam came in at a very tricky period when we had lost two early wickets and he barely mis-timed a ball and that was really impressive. It is great to see him in good form.
“Yes, there have been a couple of scratchy starts for me but it has felt quite tricky up at the top so hopefully going forward I can turn those starts into bigger scores.”
On Player of the Match Sam Curran’s knock :
“Two really impressive innings (after his 50 not out against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) without really taking too many risks either. He has just batted normally and played really good cricket shots and it looked like he had all the time in the world in what have been two not-so-easy pitches, especially with the new ball.
“It has been very impressive to see him play like that and obviously bowling and fielding as well. You know he is a hell of a cricketer and we are lucky to have him for the whole competition.”
On Sherfane Rutherford’s knock :
“He is one of the best strikers in T20 cricket in the world at the moment and he has got one of the best bat swings I have ever seen. It is great to watch and to have him in form for this competition would be huge for us and that is a great start for him there.”
On facing MI Emirates in the next match:
“They are a very good side on paper with some good swing bowlers and also some very good spinners as well in the middle overs so it will be a bit tricky. They are one of the strongest teams in the competition for sure but I think we back ourselves as well. We have got an unbelievable team I think this year – an unbelievable squad actually. We have got a lot of depth so I am very excited for what the next few weeks has in store for us.”
The Desert Vipers’ next match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on Thursday, January 16th, against the MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, starting at 6:30 pm.
