Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer played starring roles to lead the Gulf Giants to their first win of this season’s International League T20 (ILT20) on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 166 to win, the Giants needed just 18.1 overs to reach 168-4 to defeat the Dubai Capitals by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After Adam Lyth (32) and Jordan Cox (27) made meaningful contributions, Erasmus and Hetmyer put on an unbeaten 60-run sixth-wicket partnership to condemn the Capitals to a third consecutive defeat.

Erasmus finished 50* off 34 balls including six fours and a six while Hetmyer finished 41* off 20 balls, hitting one four and four sixes in the process.

Earlier, the Capitals made 165-7 after being put in to bat by Giants skipper James Vince.

Dasun Shanaka led the way with a 20-ball 33* while captain Sikandar Raza (28), Ben Dunk (28) and Rovman Powell (25) all made decent contributions to the total.

Shai Hope, coming off scores of 101 and 83* in his last two innings, made just 12 this time around.

Aayan Afzal Khan was excellent with the ball for the Giants with 2-12 from his three overs while Mark Adair took 2-39 from his full four overs.

Summarized Scores:

Dubai Capitals 165-7 from 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 33*, Sikandar Raza 28, Ben Dunk 28, Rovman Powell 25, Aayan Afzal Khan 2-12)

Gulf Giants 168-4 from 18.1 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 50*, Shimron Hetmyer 41*, Adam Lyth 32, Jordan Cox 27).