DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies white-ball seamer Dominic Drakes produced a top spell but it was not enough, as Sherfane Rutherford steered Desert Vipers to a six-wicket win over Gulf Giants in the ILT20 here yesterday.
The left-armer claimed two for 19 from four excellent overs but Vipers still managed to chase down 162 for victory at Dubai International Stadium.
Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga marshalled the run chase with a 19-ball 42 which included four fours and a brace of sixes while England’s Adam Hose struck a measured 39 from 35 balls.
When Colin Munro fell cheaply for six in third over with 14 runs on the board, Hose added 27 for the second wicket with fellow countryman Alex Hales (21), before posting a further 57 for the third wicket with Hasaranga and 41 for the fourth wicket with Azam Khan (26 not out).
The left-handed Rutherford arrived at number six to finish off the chase, striking three fours in a 14-ball unbeaten 20.
Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer’s poor form continued when he was dismissed for 11 but Chris Lynn top-scored with 63 off 42 balls to get Giants up to 160 for six off their 20 overs.
Lynn struck seven fours and three sixes in an 89-run third wicket stand with Jordan Cox (32) to pull the innings around from seven for two in the third over.
Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi finished with three for 22.