In the DP World ILT20 season 2's tenth match at Zayed Cricket Stadium, young UAE sensation Alishan Sharafu shone brightly, leading Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a six-wicket victory over Desert Vipers. The 21-year-old Sharafu showcased his batting prowess with an outstanding unbeaten 82 runs from 47 balls, including 11 boundaries and four sixes. His effort, along with contributions from Imad Wasim (25) and Andre Russell (24 not out), enabled the Knight Riders to effortlessly chase down Desert Vipers’ total of 154/8, with 16 balls remaining.
Desert Vipers struggled with the bat, except for Colin Munro’s half-century (50 off 44 balls), as they succumbed to the tight bowling of Wasim and Russell, who took two wickets each.
The pursuit of 155 runs was dramatic. Joe Clarke's run out at 2 by Mohammad Amir’s deflection and Andries Gous’s dismissal for 10, followed by Sam Hain’s leg-before wicket to Wanindu Hasaranga, initially made the chase appear daunting.
However, Sharafu's fearless batting changed the course of the game. At one point, with the team at 60/3, he had contributed 30 runs. Sharafu reached his fifty in 34 balls, powering the Knight Riders past 100 runs in 13.3 overs. Despite Wasim being caught at long-off, Sharafu, along with Russell, steadily guided the team to victory in 17.2 overs, marking a significant win for the Knight Riders after two consecutive losses.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bowl, Knight Riders' bowling attack made quick inroads into the Vipers’ batting lineup. Hales was caught off Wasim for a duck, Adam Hose was stumped off Wasim, and Hasaranga was caught off Russell. Munro's effort to keep the scoreboard moving included a fifty, but he was dismissed immediately after by Ali Khan. Russell claimed his second wicket by dismissing Rutherford, and Afridi's 15 runs took Vipers past 150 before he was run out.
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