Dubai, Jan 24 (IANS): Desert Vipers' Alex Hales emerged as the best performer, striking a big one against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the DP World International League T20, being held across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, continued to keep the fans at the edge of their seats in the second weekend of the tournament.
Among the other top performers, Sheldon Cottrell mesmerised one and all with his splendid bowling performance against the same opposition.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Giants cemented their place at the top of the table further by continuing their unbeaten run in the tournament. Even though the Desert Vipers put up a huge total of 195 for four in their 20 overs at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Chris Lynn and Shimron Hetmyer strung a partnership of 117 runs to help the Giants chase down their target with three balls to spare.
MI Emirates' thrilling chases
The MI Emirates have gained a reputation for taking the game deep while chasing big totals. They produced two thrilling chases during the second weekend of the DP World ILT20. The Emirates seemed down and out when they needed 20 runs off the last over against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but Dwayne Bravo and Najibullah Zadran struck three sixes and a four off Andre Russell's bowling to take their team to a thrilling five-wicket victory.
Chasing a mammoth total of 222/3 in the same stadium on the very next day, Kieron Pollard played an extraordinary knock of 86 runs off 38 balls, but Rovman Powell dismissed him in the sixteenth over to ensure that the Dubai Capitals clinch a 16-run victory in the end.
The two centurions
Alex Hales became the first player to score a century in the DP World ILT20 when he raced his way to 110 runs off 59 balls against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. He smashed seven fours and six sixes during his innings to help the Desert Vipers register a comprehensive 111-run victory.
Sharjah Warriors' Tom Kohler-Cadmore didn't want to be left behind as he also achieved a three-figure score on the very next day against the Dubai Capitals. The opening batter smacked 10 fours and six maximums on his way to an unbeaten 106 off 47 balls. His magnificent innings helped the Warriors achieve their target of 178 in just 14.4 overs.
Scintillating Sheldon
Following Alex Hales' destructive innings, Desert Vipers' speedster Sheldon Cottrell rocked the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' top order. He bowled out Brandon King in the first over of their innings and then picked up the wickets of Kennar Lewis and Dhananjaya de Silva to leave the Knight Riders reeling at 42 for five in seven overs.
Fast bowler Benny Howell backed his teammate up with impressive figures of two for six in the game. Howell dismissed Akeal Hosein and Matiullah Khan as the Knight Riders folded for just 108 runs while chasing a target of 220 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The DP World ILT20 is being played in a 34-match format across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and involves Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).