DUBAI: Gulf Giants emerged as the champions of the inaugural DP World ILT20, beating Desert Vipers by seven wickets in the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night.
Gulf Giants restricted Desert Vipers to 146 for 8 in 20 overs through Carlos Brathwaite’s fine three-wicket spell and then produced an electrifying finish to the first edition of the ILT20.
It was a pulsating chase to the target cheered by a large Sunday crowd, who created an electrifying atmosphere in the stadium. Lynn sparkled under the Ring of Fire through his unconquered 72 runs, which came off 50 balls with nine boundaries and one six. He added 73 runs in 62 balls along with Erasmus, who hit 30 off 33 balls for the third wicket. He then added an unbeaten 50-run partnership off 25 balls with Hetmyer for the fourth wicket. Hetmyer eased Gulf Giants’ pressure of chasing through his unbeaten 25 off 13 balls with five boundaries.
Desert Vipers failed to post a big total despite Wanindu Hasaranga’s 55 off 27 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. Sam Billings too had chipped in with 31 off 29 balls with three boundaries. The pair had put on 72 runs in 37 balls for the fifth wicket. The chief destroyers of Desert Vipers’ innings were Carlos Brathwaite (3 for 19) and Qais Ahmad (2 for 29).
Player of the Match ($1500): Carlos Brathwaite
DP World smart delivery of the match ($1500): Tom Curran to Colin de Grandhomme
Fairplay News biggest hit of the match ($1500): Wanindu Hasaranga’s six of 90 mts.
Skyexch.Net Super 4s of the match ($1500): Chris Lynn (9 boundaries)
Sportsbuzz 11 Buzzmaker of the match ($1500): Wanindu Hasaranga
Season awards
DP World Smart Bowler ($15,000): Tom Curran
Fairplay News biggest hit ($15,000): Colin Munro’s six of 106mts
Skyexch.Net Super 4s ($15,000: Alex Hales for hitting 43 boundaries
Sportsbuzz 11 Buzzmaker ($15,000): Alex Hales
Green Belt winner: ($15,000): Alex Hales (469 runs)
White Belt winner: ($15,000): Chris Jordan (20 wickets)
Red Belt winner: ($15,000): – Most Valuable Player – Chris Jordan
Blue Belt winner: ($15,000): – Most Valuable UAE Player – Muhammad Waseem
Black (Championship) Belt: – Adani family (award collected by Satyam Trivedi – Head – Adani Sportsline)
During the month-long competition, over 200 million fans tuned in to the DP World ILT20 live broadcast on ZEE’s linear channels, digital platform, Zee5 as well as Zee Cinema SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, &Pictures HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD, Zee Zest SD, Zee Zest HD, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Thirai. The tournament was also seen on CricLife across the UAE and MENA regions.
Along with the cricket on display, fans also enjoyed several games, food trucks and live performances at the Playoffs festival. The carnival was held at the Dubai International Stadium on 8 February, 10 February and at the final on 12 February.
ILT20 came to an end after 34 matches. The tournament was played across the UAE at the cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Franchise teams, comprising over 100 international and 24 UAE-based players, included Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).
