In the 16th match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, England’s Michael Pepper struck 59 off 40 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes, and Andre Russell’s all-rounder performance led Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, who were struggling at the bottom of the points table, to victory over third-placed and defending champions Gulf Giants by six wickets.
The Knight Riders moved up to the third position, while the Giants dropped to the fourth after the loss.
Pitch Report and Toss Update
The Zayed Cricket Stadium’s pitch, which accommodates both pace and spin variations, is more favorable to bowlers. To make conditions more difficult, batters frequently find it difficult to anticipate the slowing pace. The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the toss and chose to bowl because the surface hasn’t been particularly conducive to batters.
Chris Lynn and Jordan Cox took over the Gulf Giants innings after couple of early wickets fell
The Knight Riders got the perfect start as they got a couple of early wickets in the powerplay. The sixth ball of David Willey’s opening over claimed the wicket of opener Jamie Smith when the ball nipped back, brushed his pads, and struck the stumps.
In the fourth over, Imad Wasim also got rid of captain and opener James Vince by making him hit straight into Laurie Evans’ hands at mid-off for 11 runs. Entering the field, Jordan Cox was unfazed by the openers’ rapid fall and struck Wasim for a six with a reverse hit.
In the sixth over, Wasim was hammered for three boundaries by Chris Lynn, who also took 14 runs. Willey conceded just 18 runs in his four consecutive overs. Lynn showed off his powerful hitting abilities by hitting two sixes in a row and a boundary off Marchant de Lange.
The Giants were 79 for 2 at the halfway point, with 44 of those runs coming from Lynn. Lynn scored six boundaries and two sixes in 30 balls to achieve his half century.
The finishing touches by the batters of the Gulf Giants got them to a fighting total
Wasim removed Cox for 21 runs in the the 13th over after forcing him to slog sweep to De Lange at wide mid-wicket. Usman Khan hit some huge hits to take the score to 132 after Lynn was dismissed for 67 runs by Ali Khan.
Ali Khan’s wicket on 23 runs was unusual, as swing of his bat impacted the off stump while driving Andre Russell. Before getting out to Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer made sure the score surpassed 150 runs with a perfect 19 off 8 deliveries that included two sixes.
Both David Willey and Imad Wasim did a good job with the ball; Willey claimed one wicket, while Wasim claimed two before staggering off the field due to injury. Andre Russell and Ali Khan also made contributions with the ball; Ali Khan, in particular, impressed with his yorkers and dismissed Chris Lynn.
Michael Pepper gave the Knight Riders a flying start
The Knight Riders required a solid start in order to reach their target. Joe Clarke and Michael Pepper, the openers, delivered exactly that, scoring 50 runs between them in just 4.1 overs. The Knight Riders were at 62/0 after the completion of the powerplay.
The 62-run partnership ended in 6.1 overs when Mujeeb Ur Rahman stuck in his second over to remove Joe Clarke, who was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for 14 runs.
With five boundaries and three sixes in 33 balls, Pepper quickly reached his half-century. The Knight Riders were at a dominant 100 for 1 by the 10th over, requiring 62 more runs to win.
The Gulf Giants took quick wickets but Andre Russell gave finishing touches to seal the victory for the Knight Riders
After six more runs, Mujeeb claimed his second wicket, forcing Alishan Sharafu to be caught by Brathawaite at mid-wicket for 11 runs. Pepper went for a pull, but Richard Gleeson forced him to edge the delivery on to his wicket for 59 runs.
Drakes made a diving catch at long off, and Laurie Evans (6) got out to Zuhaib Zubair. The final five overs required just 39 runs to be scored. Rain briefly halted play when they needed just 31 runs to win in 24 balls.
Andre Russell scored an explosive thirty runs off just thirteen balls, including three sixes, and he and Sam Hain (17*) made sure their team won with 10 balls remaining. The length of the Giants’ bowlers faltered, as they gave away a total of 27 extra runs in their innings, which is below par.
