GG VS DV MATCH 8

Right then, that concludes our coverage of Match 8 of the ILT20, with the Desert Vipers securing a thrilling third consecutive win. The action continues with Match 9 on Tuesday, 9th December, as the Desert Vipers take on MI Emirates at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The game gets underway at 8.00 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), and we’ll be with you well ahead of the first ball for all the pre-match build-up, expert analysis, and exclusive insights. Until then, stay safe, and goodbye!

Desert Vipers' Dan Lawrence is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning contribution with the bat. He scored a valiant 56 off 31 balls. He starts by saying that he was 2 off 7 balls at one stage, and he was panic-stricken a bit as well, but says that he took his chances. He feels great that it came off. Highlights that they needed more than 12 runs per over at one stage, but once they got settled at the crease, it got easier to bat. Appreciates Liam Dawson for bowling a couple of tight overs. Reflects that it was one of those pitches, where once you got in, it was nice to bat on. Says that he feels a little bit drained, but also expresses his happiness at the team being on a winning run.

The victorious captain of the Desert Vipers, Sam Curran, reflects that while it’s been a trend for their matches to go deep, he’s pleased to have secured a 3 from 3 start. He acknowledges that the Giants bowled well during the Powerplay, but his team held the ground and pushed the game to a Super Over. Curran praises Dan Lawrence for his hitting in the Super Over and commends Naseem Shah for a fine over. He also lauds Khuzaima Tanveer for his contribution and expresses optimism about continuing the strong run into their next game.

The captain of Gulf Giants, Moeen Ali, reflects on the defeat. He admits that they made a few mistakes at the wrong time. Stresses that they needed a couple of good balls, but overall, he says it was a good game. Mentions that there is so much good hitting now, especially towards the backend. Says that the game is never over until its over. Overall, he calls it a great game of cricket and one that they could have easily won. On the Super Over, he says it's difficult sometimes.

Presentation time....

Earlier in the game, the Gulf Giants batted first and put up a competitive total of 179/5, powered by a brisk 56 from Pathum Nissanka. Contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, James Vince, and Azmatullah Omarzai steadied the innings in the middle overs, helping the Giants post an above-par score on this pitch, even if they fell short of an ideal finish. For the Vipers, Khuzaima Tanveer and David Payne were the standout bowlers, while Noor Ahmad claimed a couple of wickets but proved a bit expensive. With this win, the Vipers maintain their top spot on the table with three consecutive victories, while the Giants remain in second place despite the loss.

For the Gulf Giants, Nuwan Thushara and Azmatullah Omarzai were the standout bowlers, sharing six wickets between them, while Mark Adair and Moeen Ali also bowled tidy spells. The Giants dominated for most of the match but conceded crucial runs towards the end, allowing the Vipers to push the game into a one-over decider. In the end, the Vipers held their nerve, and the Giants fell short, suffering their first loss of the season.

Chasing 180 for victory, the Desert Vipers found themselves in early trouble, slipping to 62/3 in the 9th over. However, a crucial 60-run partnership between Sam Curran and Dan Lawrence revived their hopes. Curran’s 44 came to an end, but Lawrence continued his onslaught, smashing a brilliant fifty to keep the chase alive. Cameos from Shimron Hetmyer, Hasan Nawaz, and Khuzaima Tanveer pushed the contest into a Super Over, where the Vipers emerged victorious, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Phew! What a thriller we witnessed in the ILT20! For the first time in the tournament’s history, a Super Over decided the outcome, with the Desert Vipers edging out the Gulf Giants by 4 runs. Chasing 14 for victory, the Giants could manage only 9 after the Vipers had set a target of 13 in the one-over shootout. Dan Lawrence was sensational for the Vipers, smashing 10 runs off just 4 balls, but despite leading for much of the match, the Giants couldn’t seal the win.

Naseem Shah delivers fantastically for his team with ice in his veins. Bowls a wide full toss, miles outside off. Moeen Ali slices it over backward point, but gets only a single. DESERT VIPERS WIN THE SUPER OVER. Sam Curran and his men remain the only unbeaten side this season and they extend their winning streak over the Gulf Giants. This game well and truly lived up to its billing as the clash between the table toppers.

Another wide, low full toss, outside off. Tom Moores shuffles outside off and drills it down to long off for another single. Over to you, Moeen, says Moores. 6 needed off the final delivery.

A low full toss, outside off. Moeen Ali mistimes it through the cover and point gap for just a single. 7 needed off 2 balls.

Wide outside off, on a fuller length. Moeen Ali slices it over point for a couple of runs.

TWO WIDES! Very sloppy from Naseem so far. Goes for a wide yorker, but this is way beyond the tramline outside off. Tom Moores has a huge waft at it, but misses to connect. The keeper fumbles a bit to gather it and the batters pinch in a bye.

Tries the yorker, but ends up bowling a thigh-high full toss, outside off. Moeen Ali mistimes his shot between mid off and cover for just a single. 12 needed off 4 balls now.

A wide yorker, outside off. Moeen Ali tries to squeeze it away to the off side, but misses to carve it out. The keeper collects it and straightaway appeals for the catch, but since it is a Free Hit, that appeal won't count, even if Moeen had nicked it.

NO BALL! Are you kidding me? After a lengthy delay, Naseem finally starts off and slips in a high full toss, outside off. Moeen Ali swings hard with all his might, but misses. The third umpire is brought in to check the legality of the ball, and it is deemed a No Ball for height. Free Hit to follow...

Welcome back! The chase in the Super Over is finally about to begin, after a lengthy delay caused by careful deliberation over the bowling choices and plenty of strategic discussions. Animated chatter continues in both dugouts. But finally, Tom Moores and Moeen Ali stride out to the crease for the Gulf Giants, while Naseem Shah prepares to bowl for the Desert Vipers. And, we’re underway!

…THE RUN CHASE…