Erasmus, Hetmeyer shine as Gulf Giants beat Dubai Capitals in ILT20

Aayan Afzal Khan PHOTO SUPPLIED

The Gulf Giants notched their first victory of their campaign in the DP World ILT20 Season 3, with a six-wicket triumph against the Dubai Capitals on Saturday evening.

Chasing 166, Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer put on a match winning partnership of 80 runs in only 44 deliveries. Erasmus finished with an unbeaten 34-ball fifty, while Hetmyer also remained not out with 41 runs in just 20 balls, comprising four sixes.

Batting first, the Dubai Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals, restricting them to 165/7 in 20 overs. UAE's young spinner Aayan Afzal Khan and Mark Adair led the Giants bowling attack with two-wicket hauls each.

Adam Lyth wasted no time setting the tone for the Giants’ run chase, striking four boundaries and a six during an aggressive 32-run innings off just 17 deliveries. His knock ended in the eighth over, with Farhan Khan claiming his wicket.

Meanwhile, Desert Vipers put up a stunning all-round display as they banked on Alex Hales’ half-century, three wickets from Nathan Sowter and three incredible catches from Luke Wood to hand the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a 53-run defeat at the Dubai International Stadium in the ongoing DP World ILT20.

With four victories in their first four matches, the Vipers lead the points table with eight points.

Chasing 194, the Knight Riders got off to a solid start courtesy of Joe Clarke, but a middle-innings collapse saw them slip to a massive defeat at the Dubai International Stadium.

The Vipers took to the field in their green kit, celebrating their second annual Sustainability Match, as the Dubai International Stadium marked the occasion by trialing new initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of cricket matches.

More from Sports News

  • Bencic stuns Rybakina to set up Krueger final

    Belinda Bencic is through to another Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final after eliminating reigning champion Elena Rybakina in a pulsating contest. The Swiss star will now meet Ashlyn Krueger, who defeated Linda Noskova in straight sets, in Saturday's final.

  • Desert Vipers beat Sharjah Warriorz to reach final

    The Desert Vipers defeated the Sharjah Warriorz in the DP World ILT20 Season 3 Qualifier 2 clash bowling exceptionally well and followed it up with a scintillating batting display to cruise to a seven-wicket win at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

  • Maguire heads Man United into FA Cup fifth round

    Manchester United clawed back from a goal down to beat Leicester City in a 2-1 fourth-round FA Cup victory on Friday at Old Trafford, thanks to a last-gasp controversial header from veteran defender Harry Maguire plus a strike from Joshua Zirkzee.

  • January football transfer spending reaches record levels

    Clubs worldwide spent a record $2.35 billion on international transfers in men's soccer in the January window, nearly a 58 per cent increase from last year, world soccer's governing body FIFA said in a study published on Friday.

  • FIFA suspends Congo Republic, Pakistan

    FIFA has suspended the Congo Republic's football association (FECOFOOT) and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), barring both from international competitions, the world soccer's governing body has said.

News

  • H.H. Sheikh Mohammed to honour Arab Hope Makers

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai will meet with a group of young humanitarians at a ceremony on February 23, as part of the Arab Hope Makers initiative.

  • UAE Floating Hospital admits 30 Palestinians since ceasefire

    The UAE Floating Hospital in Al-Arish has admitted around 30 patients from Gaza since the start of the ceasefire and the resumption of medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing, as part of the Operation Chivalrous Knight 3.

  • UAE condemns school shooting in Sweden

    The UAE on Friday strongly condemned a shooting at an adult education centre in Sweden that killed 11 people, expressing solidarity with the victims' families.