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Right then, that is it from this exciting contest between the Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants. There is more action coming up on Thursday, 25th of January as Dubai Capitals go up against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT) for match number 8 of the International League T20. The build-up for the game will start much sooner, so do join us for the same. Until then, goodbye and Cheers!

Wanindu Hasaranga is the Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round showing. He says that he enjoyed his batting in this game and he generally comes in to bat at number 3 and was able to play his shots. Ends by saying that he tries to do well in all formats of the game and T20 is no different.

Colin Munro, the skipper of Desert Vipers says that he is happy about the win and credits the team was playing like on unit. Adds that winning the toss was a big factor. Mentions that they started well with the ball and appreciated Hose for playing patiently. Praises Hasaranga for playing a destructive knock and powering the innings. Mentions that they read the conditions well in this game and the players adapted well. Reckons that it would have been nice to get a few extra runs in the powerplay and says that it was tough to juggle the bowlers. Adds that they have nearly ticked all boxes. On Shaheen Afridi, he says that he is a freak in a good way and it is always an advantage to have him in the side.

James Vince the skipper of Gulf Giants says that Chris Lynn and the others did well to get going in the middle overs but they got pegged back and couldn't reach 180. Adds that Wanindu Hasaranga played a vital knock at their bowlers had done a good job at the start. Ends up saying that they got off to a good start by winning the first game and says that they need to get better in all facets of the game.

The Presentation ceremony…

Earlier in the game, we saw the Gulf Giants being pressurized in quite a few instances by the Dessert Vipers bowlers. Shaheen Afridi scalped a brilliant three-wicket haul while the others supported him. Chris Lynn was the star with the bat for the Gulf Giants as he was the only batter who looked comfortable out in the middle, and scored a fine half-century. The Giants managed to put 160 on the board after fighting well through the middle phases.

The Desert Vipers had a poor start to their innings as their skipper, Colin Munro was dismissed early on in the innings. Alex Hales and Adam Hose put up a strong stand to stabilize the innings but Hales was also dismissed at a crucial time and that put his team back under pressure. Wanindu Hasaranga came in next and started taking the bowlers to the cleaners because Hose was struggling on the other end. He batted with intent and gave a jump start to a rather slow innings. Azam Khan did the same and proved his worth in the death overs. Adam Hose also found a few boundaries and helped his team but just when he was looking comfortable, he was dismissed. Sherfane Rutherford, the next batter took the aggressive approach from his first ball in and ultimately hit the winning maximum. They win by 6 wickets and 12 balls to spare after a tough effort

The Gulf Giants had come out with good intent and they struck early as Richard Gleeson dismissed the opposition skipper for a low score. After that, they were struggling to take wickets but managed to stop the batters from scoring runs. Dominic Drakes dismissed Alex Hales before he could switch gears and he also dismissed Wanindu Hasaranga when he was dealing a lot of damage to the bowlers. Richard Gleeson ended Adam Hose's struggle out in the middle but Azam Khan was on one end dealing in boundaries along with Sherfane Rutherford who hit the winning runs. A fighting effort from the Giants but unfortunately for them, in a losing cause.

The Desert Vipers huffed and puffed but they managed to register two points for their team. After a long and interesting match, the chase is finally completed and Azam Khan and Sherfane Rutherford were the batters to see it through with 12 balls left in this game. A good fighting effort from the Gulf Giants and as Chris Lynn had mentioned in the innings break maybe, they were 10 runs short.

SIX! Finally, Sherfane Rutherford connects and Desert Vipers win! A quick short ball right at the helmet, Rutherford takes his eyes off the ball a bit and hooks it right off the middle of the bat. Thye ball flies over deep mid-wicket for a maximum and the Vipers win by 6 wickets.

Banged in short and outside off, Sherfane Rutherford comes down the pitch and looks to go downtown but is well beaten. Desert Vipers wasting deliveries here trying to finish things off in style.

Hard length outside off, Azam Khan looks to get across and heave but gets a top edge down to third man for a single.

Unnecessary from Azam Khan. Full and quick outside off, with just 6 needed, Azam goes right past the off stump and looks to scoop but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Blessing Muzarabani to bowl his final over and the penultimate over of the game.

Another dot to end. Dug in short with loads of pace behind it and over leg stump. Sherfane Rutherford looks to pull but the ball gets big on him and he gets hit on the body again. Desert Vipers are just one hit away now from the win.

Hard length over leg stump, Sherfane Rutherford looks to hang back and pull but is beaten for pace and wears it on the body.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Short of a length over middle and leg, fast hands from Sherfane Rutherford as he clobbers this one away in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.