Match 16, Abu Dhabi, January 31, 2024, 08:00 PM
Gulf Giants
161/6(20.0ov)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
164/4(18.2ov)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Gulf Giants by 6 wickets
Right then, that is it from this game as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders get over the line with ease. However, the action continues in the International League T20 as we have a game lined up between Dubai Capitals versus Desert Vipers at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Michael Pepper is the player of the match for his brilliant contribution of 59 runs. He is up for a quick chat and says that batting in the powerplay is the best time to bat with the pace on and it gave him the needed freedom. Adds that his innings were in patches as the pitch offered good bounce early on and in between the opponents started to use the conditions to their favor and he had to adjust as per that.
The victorious skipper of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Sunil Narine says he is happy with the win an it all started in the powerplay with them picking up wickets and setting up the tone. Mentions that the key was to pick up wickets and David Willey did well and they just wanted to try and get one more and it all went good for the side. Credits the side and says that he is happy with the performance but they aren't comfortable with any result as there is always scope for improvement.
The losing skipper of Gulf Giants James Vince says he thought they had a par score on this track but the powerplay put them behind in the game and it was hard to pull things back after that. Adds that the ball wasn't swinging much for Richard Gleeson but Carlos Brathwaite did swing it way too much and that disturbed the bowlers a bit with the line and lengths to bowl on this track. Mentions that he feels there was enough in the wicket and a better start would have helped them put up a better fight.
Presentations coming up...
Earlier in the match, David Willey and Imad Wasim performed well with the ball, with Willey taking a wicket and Wasim taking two before leaving the field due to injury. Chris Lynn and Jordan Cox had a partnership, but Cox struggled. Usman Khan and Shimron Hetmyer tried to increase the scoring rate but lost their wickets. Additionally, Russell and Ali Khan also contributed with the ball, with Ali Khan impressing with his yorkers and dismissing Chris Lynn.
To be honest, all the damage was done to the Gulf Giants in the initial overs. They also gave away a total of 27 extra runs in their innings, which is below par. They managed to get Michael Pepper in the 12th over but couldn't recover from the damage done to them in the initial overs. They will need to bounce back from this and come back stronger in their next game.
A convincing win for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders! They were off to a flier, with both batters firing all cylinders over the Gulf Giants bowlers. Joe Clarke fell just after the powerplay. Michael Pepper continued with his onslaught but was dismissed in the 12th over after scoring 59 off 40 balls. Once he fell, the flow of runs slowed down for a while but Andre Russell ensured no more hiccups and scored a quickfire 30 off 13 to get Abu Dhabi Knight Riders over the line with ease.
In over# 19
6
1
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 31/2(3.2)
18.2
6
SIX! He finishes off in style! Short and on off, Andre Russell hangs back and lofts it downtown for a maximum! Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat the Gulf Giants by six wickets!
18.1
1
Short and wide, Sam Hain slaps it to point for one.
In over# 18
6
1
1
2
6
1
Jamie Overton 25/0(4)
17.6
6
SIX! Excellent from Andre Russell! Full and on middle, Andre Russell stays in his crease and lofts it over long on for a biggie! Stand and deliver! Just 5 needed now...
17.5
1
A low full toss, on off, Sam Hain flicks it to square leg for one.
17.4
1
Full, on off, Andre Russell looks to loft it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards the off side. They cross.
17.3
2
Full, on off, Andre Russell miscues his loft towards deep covers. It lands safely as the batters collect two.
17.2
6
SIX! Up, up and away! Short and on middle, Andre Russell hangs back and pulls it hard, over deep square leg for a maximum!
17.1
1
Bowls it outside off, Sam Hain paddles it fine for a single.
In over# 17
1
0
2
1
1
4
Zohaib Zubair 17/1(3)