'Waah Adani Ji, pehle stock market abb yahan' - Fans react as Gulf Giants win inaugural edition of ILT20

Gulf Giants win ILT20 (Source: Twitter)

The Gulf Giants scripted history on Sunday as they beat the Desert Vipers in the final of the ILT20 to win the inaugural edition of the premier T20 league played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Carlos Braithwaite was adjudged the man of the match in a relatively low-scoring T20 encounter at the Dubai International Stadium.

After winning the toss and forcing the Vipers to bat first, the Giants restricted the batting side to a comfortable total of 146 losing eight wickets within the quota of 20 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga was the top-scorer for the Vipers, smashing a quick-fire 55 off 27 deliveries. Carlos Braithwaite remained the pick of the bowlers, returning with figures of 3/19 in his four overs.

Chris Lynn smashed a match-winning 72* off 50 balls

In reply, the Gulf Giants cruised to the total with eight balls remaining, losing only three wickets on their way. Chris Lynn remained unbeaten on 72 off 50 deliveries, while Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer’s handsome contributions helped the Giants cross the finish line.

Arguably, Wanindu Hasaranga was the best performer for the Vipers, contributing with both bat and ball. He picked up a wicket while giving away 28 runs in his four overs, the best figures for the Vipers’ bowlers on the big day. The match inched towards an exciting finish when, at the score of 99, Erasmus stepped out and lofted Hasaranga’s delivery straight into the hands of Sam Curran at long-on for 30. At that stage, 48 runs were needed off 33 balls.

All eyes now turned towards the aggressive Shimron Hetmyer, who hit Luke Wood for two consecutive boundaries. In comparison, Lynn, too, hit two consecutive boundaries off the fourth and fifth deliveries to take 18 runs off that same Wood over and reduce the margin to a gettable 24 off 18 balls.

Hetmyer took the game away from Desert Vipers, smashing Curran for three consecutive boundaries, and Lynn ultimately hit the winning boundary of the ILT20.

Here's how the fans reacted to Gulf Giant’s triumph:    

Perth scorcher done ✅
Sunrisers Eastern Cape ✅
Gulf Giant's ✅
Now it's time for SRH

ORANGE 🧡 YEAR 🧡 pic.twitter.com/rG1969T09v

— CRICKET DUGOUT (@Cricket_Dugout) February 12, 2023

Winners of the village league!

— r (@robinkumar00) February 12, 2023

@CRBrathwaite26 deserves a trophy 🏆 (league)

— 🇳🇿 (@KLR__FAN) February 12, 2023

ye kab start hua ?

— ︎Ⓗ︎EⒶ𝙙ҽ尺 (@Head9_) February 12, 2023

Carpenters league

— Saad Mohammed (@saadmd_13) February 12, 2023

Mera tou SA20 ILT20 IPL WC ,sabse vishwas uth Gaya hai
Bilaterals clear....

— Jethiya (@Cricworld73) February 12, 2023

RaGa : Ye bhi Adani ko de diya, Modi ji sab kuch Adani ko de rhe hai !

— Harsh Tegta (@tegtaharsh97) February 12, 2023

RCB can't relate

— ҒIRΣ 45 (@MyWorld264) February 12, 2023