NEW DELHI: Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran struck spectacular half-centuries as Desert Vipers eased previous Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by seven wickets of their opening ILT20 match on the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Chasing 167 for victory, the Vipers rode on an aggressive 39-ball 70 from Lawrence and an unbeaten 37-ball 50 from Curran to cross the finish-line with eight balls to spare.
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Opting to area first after successful the toss, the Vipers restricted the Knight Riders to a manageable whole.
Phil Salt anchored the Knight Riders’ innings with an unbeaten 71 off 49 balls. Alishan Sharafu’s important contribution of 46 runs and Andre Russell’s quick-fire 30 runs supplied late impetus to the innings.
The Vipers’ chase received off to a brisk begin, accumulating 46 runs within the powerplay.
Fakhar Zaman, showing to be in good contact, scored 23, together with three fours and a six, earlier than being dismissed by Russell within the fifth over.
Alex Hales departed within the eighth over, scoring simply 10 runs, falling sufferer to Sunil Narine’s bowling.
Lawrence and Curran then orchestrated a match-winning partnership of 95 runs from 59 balls. Lawrence’s aggressive knock of 71 featured 4 sixes and 5 fours. Curran’s unbeaten half-century, nevertheless, was characterised by managed aggression, together with solely two fours and a six.
Shahid Bhutta broke the substantial partnership, dismissing Lawrence within the 18th over.
With 16 runs remaining, Sherfane Rutherford joined Curran, guiding the Vipers to a cushty victory in 18.Four overs.
Earlier, the Knight Riders had a difficult begin to their innings. Kyle Mayers was dismissed early by Mohammad Amir, and Joe Clarke was bowled by Lockie Ferguson, leaving the Knight Riders at 19 for two in 4.1 overs.
Opener Salt shouldered the accountability of rebuilding the innings, remaining unbeaten with a well-crafted 71.
Salt’s knock comprised 4 sixes and 5 fours, showcasing his managed aggression all through his 49-ball keep on the crease.
Alishan Sharafu supplied essential assist with a beneficial 46 runs off 34 balls.
Following Sharafu’s departure, Russell injected much-needed momentum into the innings, smashing 30 runs off simply 14 deliveries.
Russell’s cameo included two fours and three sixes earlier than being run out, serving to the Knight Riders attain a complete of 166 for five.
“The state of affairs was fairly good to come back into, figuring out I needed to give myself time. From the resort to how the coaches deal with you, that is most likely essentially the most skilled set-up,” stated Participant of the match Lawrence.
Temporary Scores
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 166/5 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 71 not out, Alishan Sharafu 46, Andre Russell 30, Lockie Ferguson 1 for 26, Mohammad Amir 1 for 29)
Desert Vipers 168/three in 18.Four overs (Dan Lawrence 70, Sam Curran 50 not out, Fakhar Zaman 23, Andre Russell 1 for 15, Shahid Bhutta 1 for 27, Sunil Narine 1 for 29)
