Desert Vipers convincingly defeated Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 121 runs in the 9th match of the ongoing International League T20 2023 (ILT20) at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on January 20. They had a great start to their campaign, having won the first three games of the tournament.
Meanwhile, during the 5th over of the 2nd innings, the Vipers’ allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga put Charith Asalanka into trouble with his brilliant direct hit. It was a length delivery on the leg by Sheldon Cottrell. Dhananjaya tried to swipe that through the leg side, but it came off the thigh pad and rolled towards the point.
Hasaranga, from the point, was quick to move across. He gathered the ball and fired a direct hit at the keeper’s end. Asalanka was well short of the crease and got out on a duck.
Watch the video here:
My most favorite part of the game. 👍🏽🤞🏽 @ILT20Official @TheDesertVipers pic.twitter.com/YNJP43Xahs
— Wanindu Hasaranga (@Wanindu49) January 27, 2023
Alex Hales continues his red-hot form
Talking about the match, the Knight Riders opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Vipers’ opener Alex Hales lit up the Zayed Cricket Stadium through a whirlwind century (110 runs off just 59 balls), studded with seven boundaries and six sixes, to power his team to a massive victory.
With his knock, the 6ft 5inch tall England opener earned the honor of becoming the first-century maker of this tournament backed by his skipper Colin Munro’s 56 runs off 46 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. Together, they put on a 164-run partnership off 95 balls for the second wicket to post a mammoth score of 219 for 4- the highest score of the tournament.
Chasing the target, the Knight Riders could never got going and Cottrell bowled an impressive spell to derail the batting side. There was no chance to bounce back after such a feeble start and although Andre Russel entertained with a few lusty blows, he scored 57 runs off just 29 deliveries, which included 5 fours and 5 sixes. It was a clinical victory for the Desert Vipers.
