DUBAI: The Desert Vipers, inspired by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan, and Shadab Khan, defeated defending champions the Gulf Giants by six wickets for their first win of the 2024 DP World ILT20 cricket tournament.
Afridi took three wickets, wicketkeeper Azam Khan produced slick glovework and scored an unbeaten 26 in the successful run chase, and Khan’s namesake bowled a full quota of four overs in his first match back after injury.
But it was Sri Lankan Twenty20 international captain Wanindu Hasaranga who was declared player of the match for his all-round performance of one for 26 with the ball and scoring a crucial 42 from just 19 deliveries.
Afridi said: “This is my first game for the Desert Vipers and to be honest I really enjoyed myself.
“The good thing is we won this game, and I am hopeful that in the games coming up we will also play as a team, and we win those games as well.
“As far as the bowling attack goes, this team is very strong, and it also has a balanced batting line-up. They have performed really well in the past and I am hopeful we will perform well again this year,” he added.
Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro said: “I think we stuck to our plans well. There was a short side toward which we had to bowl some spin. You look at Shadab’s figures and it reads 10 per over but actually it was well bowled from him today, coming off from a lengthy time off the park, I think he will be much better for that performance tonight.
“I cannot fault any of the efforts tonight. I thought the bowlers executed the plans we had talked about really well. And when you have got such an experienced bowling line-up you just put them in auto drive and go.
“Shaheen was exceptional tonight and to be honest it is a lot more fun having him in my team than playing against him.
“He is an ultimate professional. He does everything he can for the team. He fields in the hotspots, bowls the tough overs, and he wants to go out there and bat in whatever position the team needs. So, it is nice to have these guys on the team.
“I thought the way we batted, to finish with an over and a bit to go, was outstanding,” Munro added.
The Desert Vipers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 27, when they take on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the UAE capital.
