Sport
Azam Khan’s fastest half century in ILT20 history helps Desert Vipers sink Gulf Giants
Azam Khan hit the fastest half century in the history of DP World ILT20 off just 18 balls to lift Desert Vipers to a six-wicket win over Gulf Giants in the 19th match of this season at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
Khan remained unconquered on 50 off 20 balls with five boundaries and four sixes, and along with his skipper Colin Munro, who scored 51 off 36 balls with six boundaries and two sixes, they won the match with 19 balls to spare.
This victory helped Vipers move to the third slot in the points table while defending champions Giants slipped to the bottom of the table.
Speaking after the match, Khan said: “I enjoyed the knock and I knew I would be able to win the match at any point of time. I am very happy about it. When you bat in the middle, you cannot be consistent all the time, but what matters is the strike rate. If my strike rate is good, it is good for my team too. Each win is good for the confidence of the team. I also feel motivated when the crowd is cheering.
The more one practices, the better one becomes, and you’ve got to have confidence in yourself. This tournament is good for the Pakistan players as they are performing so well in this great league. It is also good for their careers as many are going for the PSL.”
In the second match of the day, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sealed a commanding 29-run victory over Dubai Capitals at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Steering the Dubai Capitals run chase, David Warner and Jason Holder scored 42 runs each, but the lack of support around them and a shrewd display by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ bowling unit saw the Capitals’ run chase fizzle out.
Abu Dhabi’s David Willey, Sunil Narine and Imad Wasim were exceptional with the ball picking up two wickets each.
David Willey delivered a comprehensive Player of the Match performance with an impactful knock of 26 runs in 18 balls while denting the Capitals’ top order with the crucial wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sam Billings.
Speaking on the victory, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders skipper, Sunil Narine said: “The way we started with the bat in the powerplay, could have been better. Thanks to Russell, we got to that score. The bowlers started off brilliantly, and we would like to have a perfect game (without drop catches), but we will take the win”
Echoing these sentiments, Player of the Match, Davil Willey said: “We have got a great group of guys and everybody is chipping in. It is nice to get the win. I am happy that there is a little bit out there with the new ball for me. I would like to think I am peaking at the right time and hopefully we start to gel well and get results in our favor.”
Cricket fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television on Sunday to watch great cricket. For all broadcasting updates don’t forget to follow our social media platforms.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned bowling figures of 2-17 as Kolkata Knight Riders booked their play-off spot with an 18-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rain-reduced IPL match.
Two-time champions Kolkata posted 157-7 as Venkatesh Iyer top-scored with 42 off 21 balls after being invited to bat first at their home Eden Gardens in a 16-overs-a-side match, AFP reported.
Bowlers combined to defend the total after Mumbai raced to 65-0 and Chakravarthy, a mystery spinner, got the big wickets of Rohit Sharma, who made 19 after coming in as impact substitute, and skipper Hardik Pandya, who was caught out for two.
Five-time winners Mumbai, who are already out of the play-off race, finished on 139-8 as Tilak Varma hit a 17-ball 32 before he fell to fast bowler Harshit Rana, who took two wickets in the last over.
Pace bowler Andre Russell also took two wickets, including that of Suryakumar Yadav, as table-toppers Kolkata got their ninth win in 12 matches to become the first team to book a play-off berth.
The top four teams will make the play-offs with the final on May 26 in Chennai.
Kolkata lost openers Phil Salt, out for six, and Sunil Narine, bowled for a duck off Jasprit Bumrah, in the first two overs and skipper Shreyas Iyer soon fell for seven.
But Venkatesh, a left-hand batsman, made Kolkata hit back with six fours and two sixes and he set the pace that was picked up by Nitish Rana and Russell in a key stand of 39.
Rana, a left-hand batter, hit 33 and Russell smashed 24 off 14 before Rinku Singh, who hit 20, and Ramandeep Singh, unbeaten 17, helped Kolkata finish on a high, AFP reported.
Bumrah and veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla took two wickets each.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi defeated Aino Mina 1-0 in the 41st match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Friday.
In the 42nd match later in the day, Sarsabz Yashlar beat Khurasan Faryab 2-0.
The only goal in Sorkh Poshan Khafi’s match against Aino Mina was scored by Habibullah Hotak who netted the ball with a header.
Temor Shah Raoufi and Mustafa Rezaie scored for Sarsabz Yashlar in their 2-0 victory against Khurasan Fayrab.
Saturday’s matches will see Abu Muslim Farah take on Jawanan Wahedi at 1pm, while Adalat Farah play Khadim at 3:30pm.
The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
IPL heavyweights Mumbai Indians became the first team to be knocked out of the play-off race after Sunrisers Hyderabad hammered Lucknow Super Giants by 10 wickets.
Five-time winners Mumbai are ninth in the 10-team table on eight points after only four wins in 12 matches, AFP reported.
Hyderabad, led by Pat Cummins, moved third on 14 points after they chased down 166 in 9.4 overs on Wednesday night, courtesy Travis Head’s 89 and 75 by Abhishek Sharma.
Lucknow and Delhi Capitals are both on 12 points and face each other on 14 May meaning Mumbai cannot qualify for the top four to contest the playoffs, even if Hardik Pandya’s side win their two remaining matches.
Mumbai lost their first three games with Pandya booed after he replaced the popular Rohit Sharma as skipper this season.
Table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals both have 16 points each.
The final will be on 26 May in Chennai.
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