West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder continued his stellar form for the Abu Knight Riders, as he contributed significantly to a 37-run victory over Shimron Hetmyer’s Gulf Giants in Dubai on Sunday.
Holder’s all-round brilliance was once again on full display as he contributed a crucial nine-ball 16 at the backend of the Knight Riders’ innings to push their total to a competitive 176-9. With the ball, he claimed 2-25, helping to restrict the Giants to 139 in their chase.
Batting first, the Knight Riders got off to a brisk start with Kyle Mayers smashing 19 off 12 balls, including two fours and a six, before he fell with the score at 39. His opening partner Andries Gous followed shortly after for 17, as the Knight Riders were in a spot of bother at 47-2.
Michael Pepper plays a shot during his knock. (Photos: ILT20)
However, the innings found stability through a 52-run partnership between Joe Clarke (24) and Michael Pepper. Pepper, the eventual topscorer, played a pivotal knock of 57 off 35 deliveries, laced with six fours and two sixes.
The middle order wobbled as Aayan Afzal Khan (4-16) ran through the Knight Riders’ lineup, removing Clarke, Alishan Sharafu (five), Andre Russell (12), and captain Sunil Narine (one) in quick succession.
Despite the setbacks, Holder’s late cameo, along with David Willey’s seven-ball 11, provided the final push to take the Knight Riders past the 160-mark.
In reply, the Gulf Giants never gained momentum as Holder, Ali Khan (2-23), and Ibrar Ahmad (2-27) dismantled their batting lineup.
Aayan Afzal Khan celebrates one of his four wickets.
Shimron Hetmyer’s 16-ball 20, which included two fours, along with contributions from Ibrahim Zadran (24) and Gerhard Erasmus (24), were the only notable efforts.
Hetmyer and Erasmus briefly revived the innings with a 37-run fifth-wicket stand, but it wasn’t enough to challenge the Knight Riders’ total.
The victory propelled the Knight Riders to third place on the table with four points, ahead of Sharjah Warriors due to a superior net run rate. Desert Vipers lead with eight points, followed by MI Emirates (four points). The Gulf Giants and Dubai Capitals remain at the bottom with two points each.