Riding on Carlos Brathwaite’s 3 for 26 to restrict the Dubai Capitals to a modest 132/7 in 20 overs, defending champions Gulf Giants registered a 3-wicket win in the 11th match of the DP World ILT20 Season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Buoyed by a boisterous weekend audience, Dominic Drakes brought on the winning runs with a stylish boundary and eight balls to spare.

Gulf Giants braved the onslaught of left-arm spinner Roelof Van Der Merwe who caused havoc to their run-chase bagging crucial wickets of James Vince (28), Carlos Brathwaite (1) and Chris Jordan (0). His effort of 3 for 27 went in vain with the defending champions holding their nerves to earn the winning points.

Sikandar Raza who scored a swashbuckling 47 off 36 balls to anchor the Dubai Capitals innings after losing early wickets proved his mettle with the ball too, picking up two wickets for mere eight runs but it was simply not enough.

“The wicket was doing all sorts of things. Especially with seamers, the ball was swinging a lot, and it was difficult to bat on. We thought if we could drag the innings and take the total to 140-150, we would be good. But the chase won’t be easy,” Raza said after the first innings.

But Chris Lynn led the charge, thereafter, scoring 37 runs off 22 balls, studded with three boundaries and three sixes. He was ably supported by captain James Vince who etched his name in history for getting past 10,000 runs in T20s. Vince scored 28 off 19 balls with two boundaries and two over it.

In the first ILT20 match of the day, UAE’s 21-year-old Alishan Sharafu stole the thunder by cracking a stupendous unbeaten 82 runs to steer the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a six-wicket win over Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abud Dhabi.

Sharafu’s knock was a dazzling display off 47 balls with 11 boundaries and four sixes. With support from experienced and senior players like Imad Wasim (25) and Andre Russell (24n.o), he helped chase down Desert Vipers total of 154 for 8 with 16 balls to spare.

Desert Vipers’ batting had failed before the tight bowling of Wasim, who took two wickets for 19 during the powerplay and Russell (2 for 29). Except for Colin Munro’s 50 off 44 balls with six boundaries and a six, none of the other batters rose to the challenge to post a bigger total.

The chase towards 155 to win was a treat to watch. Joe Clarke on 2 was run out while backing up when bowler Mohammad Amir deflected the ball to the stumps.

Opener Andries Gous too followed, falling to Amir edging to wicketkeeper Azam Khan for 10 in the fourth over. Wanindu Hasaranga tightened the grip by trapping Sam Hain leg before through a googly for 7 in the sixth over. These early strikes made the target look huge.

Sharafu then began to play freely and in a total of 60 for 3, he had scored 30 of those runs. Wasim provided excellent support.

Sharafu reached his half century in 34 balls with six boundaries and three sixes.

Knight Riders went past the 100-run mark in 13.3 overs. Wasim lifted Hasaranga into the hands of Sherfane Rutherford at long for a run-a-ball 25 runs. Sharafu then took up the mantle of taking his team to the target along with Russell and won the match in 17.2 overs.

For Knight Riders who had lost two consecutive matches, this was a morale-boosting win.

Earlier, Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl.

Player of the Match Sharafu thanked the management for the trust in him. “It feels really good. I am grateful to the management for trusting in me. It’s a great environment and I’m looking to pick up as much as I can from all the legends in the dressing room.”

A relieved captain Sunil Narine remarked about the victory : “It’s always a good feeling, playing good cricket and winning. Picking up early wickets is key in this format. Our fielding was also good.”

Sunday’s match, between MI Emirates and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will get underway at 2.30pm.

Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Television to watch this match live!