After several low-scoring games, the spectators at Dubai International Cricket Stadium were treated to typical T20 batting on December 28. In the last league stage game which was virtually a knockout, Phil Salt and Michael Pepper's fifties helped Abu Dhabi Knight Riders post 179/1. Moeen Ali scored 79 in the run chase but it went in vain as Sunil Narine was economical with the ball after Jason Holder's crucial early strikes. Knight Riders beat Gulf Giants by 32 runs to qualify for the ILT20 2025-26 eliminator clash against Dubai Capitals on January 1.
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Salt & Pepper dominate in Dubai
Giants skipper James Vince won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pepper and Salt got off to a cautious start. Knight Riders were 23 for no loss after four overs. Azmatullah Omarzai was targeted in the fifth over. First, Salt hit him for a six. Then, Pepper hit him for a couple of sixes as Knight Riders used the fielding restrictions. After powerplay overs, Knight Riders were 56 for no loss. In the ninth over, Pepper hit back-to-back boundaries to reach his fifty from 31 balls. At the halfway stage, Knight Riders were 88 for no loss.
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Salt and Pepper recorded the highest opening stand of the season. They shared a 131-run partnership from 15 overs. Aayan Afzal Khan got the breakthrough with Pepper's wicket. He scored 83 runs from 51 balls, featuring six fours and four sixes. In the 17th over, Salt hit a six to reach his fifty from 44 balls. In the final over, Salt went after Omarzai, hitting him for two consecutive sixes. He remained unbeaten for 72 off 56 deliveries, steering Knight Riders to 179/1. On the other end, Liam Livingstone contributed with a 13-ball 18.
Early strikes push Giants on back foot
Skipper Holder struck in the first over, getting rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a four-ball duck. Vince hit a few boundaries in his 10-ball 19 before becoming Holder's second victim with the new ball. Ajay Kumar joined the party with Ben Kellaway's wicket. Narine bowled economically in the powerplay overs. Giants were 32/3 after six overs. Ali pushed the scoring rate by taking the aerial route. He went after leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, hitting him for two fours and a six. But, he lacked support from the other end. Olly Stone was introduced into the attack after timeout and he delivered with Omarzai's wicket. At the halfway stage, Giants were 64/4.
Ali, the only Giant who stood tall in losing cause
Ali took on Stone in the 12th over, hitting him for a six and two fours. He reached his fifty from 31 balls as Stone conceded 19 runs in his second over. Narine conceded his first six of the evening in the 13th over. But, the veteran spinner showed his class with double strike in the 15th over. The mystery spinner dismissed Kyle Mayers and Sean Dickson. Ali tried to keep the run chase alive but it was beyond his control. In the 18th over, Andre Russell dismissed Ali and Aayan off consecutive deliveries. Ali hit five sixes and as many fours in his 49-ball 78. No boundary was scored in last two overs. Russell picked up another wicket in the final over. Giants managed to post 147/9 and lost the match by 32 runs.