Match 10, Abu Dhabi, January 27, 2024, 04:00 PM
Desert Vipers
154/8(20.0ov)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
160/4(17.2ov)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Desert Vipers by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Alishan Sharafu
Commentry
That's all we have from this game. Courtesy of this win, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have jumped from sixth to third on the points table. Next up, Dubai Capitals will be facing Gulf Giants in a short while, at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). The toss is around the corner. Do switch tabs and catch all the updates. Cheers!
Alishan Sharafu is picked for the Player of the Match award for his match-winning 82 not out. The youngster says that it feels good and they needed the win. Adds that he did not score in the last three games, and wanted to contribute to the team. Tells that while chasing a target like this, you need a couple of partnerships and put yourself in and they were able to do that. Mentions that he tries to learn small bits from the experienced players in the squad and improve his skills.
Sunil Narine, the victorious captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, says that picking wickets in the Powerplay is key in this format and he is happy with the energy shown in the field. Adds that he is enjoying his bowling and cricket on the whole. He thanks the crowd for all the support and says that they needed this win to stay in the hunt for top four.
Colin Munro, the captain of Desert Vipers, says that they were 10-15 runs short. Adds that the wicket stays a bit slow for the day games and credits the Knight Riders for the way they bowled. Tells that they did not bowl well and adds that you can look at all the stats you want but if you do not adapt to the conditions, it means nothing. Mentions that you have to be mentally prepared to play these many games in short span of time and you need to enjoy the rest days as well.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
The bowling from Desert Vipers was brilliant in the Powerplay but after that, they failed to capitalize. Wanindu Hasaranga was the only bowler to dictate terms but the likes of Tymal Mills and Shadab Khan were taken to the cleaners. That resulted in the momentum shift and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders cruised home.
The chase started with Desert Vipers using the likes of Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi effectively inside the Powerplay. With three wickets down in the first 6 overs, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had their backs to the wall. The move to promote Imad Wasim up in the order worked wonders for them as he brought his experience into play which rubbed on to Alishan Sharafu who was fidgety at the start but then exploded. The duo snatched the momentum into their corner by dominating the middle overs and the rest was history. Alishan remained unbeaten and Andre Russell also entertained the crowd with three biggies to complete the chase.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders needed this victory and the manner in which it has come will lift the morale of the entire team. It was set by their bowlers who bounced back from their last outing and restricted the mighty batting of Desert Vipers to a below-par total. Imad Wasim and Sunil Narine were brilliant and Andre Russell also chipped in with some economical overs.
Easily done in the end by the Knight Riders with 16 balls to spare and they have done a double over the Vipers in this edition. Just for the record, they had lost both their games against them in the last season - revenge taken!
In over# 18
6
2
Aryan Lakra 8/0(0.2)
17.2
6
SIX! Dre Russ finishes things off in style! Aryan Lakra drags his length back again, on middle, Andre Russell rocks back and dispatches it high and handsomely over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders win by 6 wickets!
17.1
2
SCORES LEVEL! Aryan Lakra lands this short and on middle, Andre Russell moves back and mistimes his pull in the air but safely towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Just 3 needed more. Aryan Lakra to complete the formalities with the ball.
In over# 17
4
1
0
0
6
1
Shaheen Afridi 31/0(4)
16.6
4
FOUR! Delicately played! Shaheen Afridi bowls a wide yorker, outside off, Alishan Sharafu backs away and reaches for it, he opens the face of the bat slightly and squeezes it through backward point for a boundary.
16.5
1
Back of a length and on middle, Andre Russell pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
16.4
.
Another swing and a miss! Shaheen Afridi pitches this one outside off, angling away, Andre Russell throws everything at his swing across the line but only connects with thin air.
16.3
.
Swing and a miss! Shaheen Afridi takes pace off, full and on leg, Andre Russell goes way early through his slog and misses.
16.2
6
SIX! Dre Russ is in a hurry now! Shaheen Afridi bangs this short and on middle, Andre Russell picks up the length early and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. Just 8 runs needed now to win for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
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