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Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga's all-round display led Desert Vipers to a comfortable six-wicket win over Gulf Giants at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 24. After Shaheen Afridi's three-wicket haul restricted Gulf Giants to 160/6, Hasaranga's fiery 19-ball 42 followed by cameos from Azam Khan and Sherfane Rutherford took Desert Vipers home with six wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.
Desert Vipers skipper Colin Munro won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan left-arm pacers Afridi and Mohammad Amir were economical in their respective spells in the powerplay overs and removed both openers. Chris Lynn and Jordan Cox helped the Gulf Giants recover. They shared an 89-run stand for the third wicket. Tymal Mills broke the partnership with Lynn's wicket. He scored 63 runs from 42 balls including seven fours and three sixes. Hasaranga got rid of Shimron Hetmyer whereas Afridi ended Cox's stay at the crease. Jordan contributed with a cameo before Afridi got his wicket in the penultimate over. Gulf Giants managed to post 160/6.
In the run chase, skipper Munro was dismissed by Richard Gleeson for a single-digit score. Alex Hales could not convert the start into a big score. He fell to Dominic Drakes after scoring 21 runs. With Adam Hose playing the anchor role, Hasaranga attacked in the middle overs. He smashed four fours and a couple of sixes in his 19-ball 42 before getting dismissed by Drakes. Azam came out all guns blazing. In the 16th over, Gleeson got the consolation wicket of Hose who scored 39 runs from 35 balls. Azam and Rutherford were in a hurry to finish the run chase. Rutherford finished the run chase in style in the penultimate over with a six off Blessing Muzarabani.
Hasaranga was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for taking the game away from Gulf Giants with the bat.
“Very happy with my batting, happy to perform. I bat at number 7 generally, but today I had a chance up the order so I tried to go on the attack. I like to have that all-rounder tag in front of my name, so happy to perform with the bat as well,” he said.
Munro lauded Afridi for his timely strikes and putting the Gulf Giants on the back foot with the new ball.
“He is a freak, he was outstanding and has so much experience, he knows his skill and executes them really well,” he said.
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