Adani Gulf Giants have emerged as the champions of the inaugural DP World ILT20, beating Desert Vipers by seven wickets in the final match that took place on Sunday night at the Dubai International Stadium. Chris Lynn’s outstanding unbeaten 72 runs, along with Gerhard Erasmus's 30 runs and Shimron Hetmyer's aggressive 25 runs, helped Gulf Giants reach the target set by Desert Vipers, who could only manage to score 146 for 8 in 20 overs.
The large Sunday crowd present at the stadium witnessed a thrilling chase to the target. Lynn, who shone under the Ring of Fire, made 72 runs off 50 balls with nine boundaries and one six. Erasmus and Lynn added 73 runs for the third wicket, while Hetmyer and Lynn added an unbeaten 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Carlos Brathwaite was the chief destroyer for Gulf Giants with his three-wicket spell.
Desert Vipers, despite Wanindu Hasaranga's 55 off 27 balls and Sam Billings' 31 off 29 balls, could not post a big score. Gulf Giants won the toss and elected to bowl, and Desert Vipers lost three wickets in quick succession, including Rohan Mustafa, who got run out in the fifth ball of the second over. Hasaranga and Billings added 72 runs for the fifth wicket, but their efforts went in vain as Gulf Giants managed to restrict them to 146.
Gulf Giants began their chase with opener and skipper James Vince, who hit a six over fine leg. Lynn too picked up a boundary. Vince was eventually forced to edge the ball to wicket-keeper Sam Billings for 14. Gerhard Erasmus and Lynn then repaired the damage and prevented Desert Vipers from making any inroads. By the halfway mark, Gulf Giants needed another 73 runs, which they successfully achieved to become the champions of the first edition of the DP World ILT20.
Brief scores:
Desert Vipers 146/8 in 20 overs (Sam Billings 31, Wanindu Hasaranga 55, Carlos Brathwaite 3-19, Qais Ahmad 2-29) lost to Gulf Giants 149/3 in 18.4 overs (Chris Lynn 72, Gerhard Erasmus 30, Shimron Hetmyer 25n.o) by 7 wkts.