In a thrilling International League T20 encounter at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second consecutive victory with a four-wicket triumph over the Gulf Giants on Thursday. The match showcased exceptional cricketing prowess, particularly from veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, whose devastating bowling performance earned him Player of the Match honors.
The Knight Riders successfully chased down a target of 166 runs with four deliveries remaining, thanks to a formidable opening partnership between Alex Hales (46 off 39 balls) and Phil Salt (35 off 24 balls). Their aggressive 61-run stand in just 44 deliveries established a solid foundation for the chase. Despite a middle-order stumble caused by Tabraiz Shamsi’s impressive three-wicket haul (3/23), late fireworks from Sherfane Rutherford (30 off 22) and Andre Russell’s unbeaten 21 from 13 balls sealed the victory.
Earlier, the Gulf Giants posted 165/7 in their allotted 20 overs, largely propelled by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 72-run innings from 45 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and five maximums. However, Chawla’s masterful spin bowling, claiming four crucial wickets for just 27 runs, restricted the Giants from reaching a more competitive total. The 36-year-old spinner revealed post-match that he continues to refine his craft, focusing on leg-break variations to complement his natural googly delivery.
Gulf Giants captain James Vince acknowledged his team’s batting shortcomings, noting they fell “20-30 runs short” of a defensible total. Despite Shamsi’s bowling brilliance bringing temporary hope, the Knight Riders maintained control of the required run rate throughout their chase. This victory elevates the Knight Riders from sixth to fourth position in the ILT20 standings, demonstrating their growing momentum in the tournament.