Watch: Wanindu Hasaranga’s three-wicket haul vs Gulf Giants sends Desert Vipers to ILT20 final

Wanindu Hasaranga picks up 3 in ILT20 (Source: Twitter)

The ILT20 is at its business end, with the playoffs of the UAE-based premier T20 league starting Wednesday. In the first playoff game, table toppers Gulf Giants faced the Desert Vipers in the qualifier, where the Giants faced an unlikely defeat at the hands of the Vipers.

After winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, the Giants did an excellent job restricting the top order from gaining momentum. However, as the match went on, the Vipers fought back with a string of 30+ scores from three of their middle-order batters. Sharefane Rutherford remained their top scorer with 37; Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Billings scored 31 runs each to set a competitive total of 179 for the Giants.

Wanindu Hasaranga contributed with both bat and ball

In reply, the Giants could only manage 159 runs before being bowled out with two balls to go in their quota of 20 overs. Hasaranga, once again, was the star with the ball for the Vipers. He picked up three wickets, conceding 36 runs in his four overs.

Hasaranga started the proceedings by dismissing Giants opener Chris Lynn who looked set at the crease playing 23 deliveries for his innings of 26. He then got Colin de Grandhomme and David Wiese out in the same over to round off a brilliant all-round performance. However, Tom Curran remained the man of the match for his brilliant four-wicket haul, and handy 29 runs down the order.

Here’s a video of the spell:

Wanindu Hasaranga never disappoints!
A three-wicket haul for the Desert Vipers in ILT20..#Hasaranga #ILT20pic.twitter.com/0bl6nfPPaV

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) February 9, 2023

With the win, Desert Vipers became the first team to qualify for the final of the ILT20. The second game in the playoffs will be an eliminator played between MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals on Thursday. Although the Giants lost the direct qualifier, they will have another chance to make it into the final on Friday in the second qualifier, where they face the winners of the eliminator.