Gulf Giants won the inaugural ILT20 by defeating Desert Vipers by seven wickets in the championship match on Sunday night at the Dubai International Stadium.
This win was thanks in large part to Chris Lynn’s tenacious unbeaten score of 72, Gerhard Erasmus’ graceful 30 runs, and Shimron Hetmyer’s timely and aggressive unbeaten 25 runs.
Earlier, all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite’s three-fer restricted Vipers below 150 in front of a packed stadium, and the team then created an electrifying climax to the inaugural ILT20.
With his unbeaten 72 runs off 50 balls, which included nine boundaries and one six, Lynn shone under the Ring of Fire.
Together with Erasmus, who scored 30 runs for the third wicket, they totalled 73 runs in 62 balls.
After that, he and Hetmyer produced an unbroken 50-run stand off 25 balls for the fourth wicket.
Hetmyer’s undefeated 25 off 13 balls with five boundaries reduced the burden on the Gulf Giants’ chasing team.
Watch here Hetmyer and Brathwaite’s final Celebration after being crowned inaugural ILT20 Champions
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James Vince, Winning Captain says at the post-match presentation:
“It’s a great feeling. Congratulations to the Desert Vipers as well but only one team can win. Taking some big wickets, Hasaranga batted well and put us under pressure but we fought back with the ball. Sticky surface but Lynny showed his class tonight. It is good for the young players to learn from the experienced family.”
Colin Munro, Losing Captain says:
“The first seven-eight overs with the bat (where they erred). They bowled really well. Credit to the Giants and they have been the form team. They beat us twice in the group stage and they were a bit better team tonight. The boys have been outstanding, couldn’t have asked for a better group, they have backed me as a skipper, had some brilliant time off the field as well. I’ve enjoyed myself and it has been a big learning curve for me, even at the back end of my career. We really had a family feeling throughout the tournament. Credit to the groundstaff as well.”