Sharafu’s stupendous unbeaten 82 lifts Abu Dhabi Knight Riders past Desert Vipers by six wickets

By K.R. Nayar
Chief Content Writer, DPWorld ILT20

(Please click ILT20 official website www.ilt20.ae for official release of this report and more pictures and videos)

Abu Dhabi. UAE’s 21-year-old Alishan Sharafu stole the thunder by cracking a stupendous unbeaten 82 runs and steered Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a six-wicket win over Desert Vipers in the tenth match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Sharafu’s knock was a dazzling display of knightly valor crafted out of 47 balls with 11 boundaries and four sixes. With support from experienced and senior players like Imad Wasim (25) and Andre Russell (24n.o), he helped chase down Desert Vipers total of 154 for 8 with 16 balls to spare.

 

Desert Vipers' batting had also failed before the tight bowling of Wasim, who took two wickets for 19 during the powerplay and Russell (2 for 29). Except for Colin Munro’s 50 off 44 balls with six boundaries and a six, none of the other batters rose to the challenge to post a bigger total.  

 

The chase towards 155 to win was a treat to watch. Joe Clarke on 2 got run out while backing up when bowler Mohammad Amir deflected the ball to the stumps. Opener Gous too followed falling to Amir edging to wicketkeeper Azam Khan for 10 in the fourth over. Wanindu Hasaranga tightened the grip by trapping Sam Hain leg before through a googly for 7 in the sixth over. These early strikes made the target look huge.

 

Sharafu then began to play freely and in a total of 60 for 3, he had scored 30 of those runs. Wasim provided excellent support. Sharafu reached his half century in 34 balls with six boundaries and three sixes. Knight Riders went past the 100 run mark in 13.3 overs. Wasim lifted Hasaranga into the hands of Sherfane Rutherford at long for a run-a-ball 25 runs. Sharafu then took up the mantle of taking his team to the target along with Russell and won the match in 17.2 overs. For Knight Riders who had lost two consecutive matches, this was a morale boosting win.

Alishan Sharafu receives the biggest six of the match award from David White, CEO of DP World ILT20 

Earlier, Knight Riders won the toss and elected to bowl. Vipers lost an early wicket when Alex Hales, going for a slog sweep off Imad Wasim, landed up being caught by David Willey at mid-wicket in the third over for a duck. One-drop Adam Hose lasted just eight balls to score eight runs before being stumped by wicketkeeper Andries Gous off Wasim. He tried to flick to mid-wicket after stepping out, but missed. Worse was to follow as their star player Wanindu Hasaranga got out in the seventh over to a slower ball from Andre Russell getting caught by Wasim at extra cover for 14.

 

The score reached the 50 run mark in 7.4 overs with opener Munro scoring 21 of them. Azam Khan struggled against Sunil Narine’s guiles and got bowled for 9 to a knuckle delivery.  At the half way mark, Vipers were struggling at 68 for 4. Shadab Khan was the next to go after adding 29 runs with Munro. He edged Marchant de Lange to be caught behind for 11.  

 

Half the side was thus back in the dug-out for 90.  Munro, who kept the scoreboard ticking, reached his half century in 43 balls but fell to the next ball to a fine yorker from Ali Khan. He put on 36 runs with Sherfane Rutherford. Russell picked his second wicket dismissing Rutherford for 28, caught by Alishan Sharafu at long on.  Shaheen Afridi (15) took the score past the 150-run mark before being run out.

 

Player of the Match Sharafu thanked the management for the trust in him. “It feels really good. I am grateful to the management for trusting in me. It's a great environment and I’m looking to pick up as much as I can from all the legends in the dressing room.”

 

A releaved captain Sunil Narine remarked about the victory : “It’s always a good feeling, playing good cricket and winning. Picking up early wickets is key in this format. Our fielding was also good.”

Losing captain Munro admitted that his team played below par. “We were probably 10-15 short. In the day games, the ball always does a little bit. We were below par and they were just above par.”

Brief scores:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bt Desert Vipers by 6 wkts.  Desert Vipers 154 for 8 in 20 overs (Colin Munro 50, Sherfane Rutherford 28, Imad Wasim 2 for 19, Andre Russell 2 for 29). Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 160 for 4 in 17.2 overs (Alishan Sharafu 82n.o, Imad Wasim 25, Andre Russell 24n.o, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 12)
Player of the Match: Alishan Sharafu