By Anas Ahmed 
The Desert Vipers showcased their dominance once again, sealing a top-two finish with a clinical five-wicket win over the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium. Max Holden’s unbeaten 70 anchored the chase, while a combined six-wicket haul from Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran restricted the Giants to a modest 129/8.
With this victory, the Vipers reaffirmed their status as one of the strongest contenders for the title, heading into the playoffs with confidence.
Hasaranga and Curran Cripple Gulf Giants’ Batting Lineup
Opting to bat first, Gulf Giants struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Desert Vipers bowling attack. The powerplay yielded just 31 runs, with James Vince (15) falling early to Sam Curran.
Wanindu Hasaranga turned the game in the Vipers’ favor with a masterful spell. He removed Tom Alsop (17) and trapped Jordan Cox (3) LBW, leaving the Giants in deep trouble at 44/4. Khuzaima Tanveer further dented the middle order by dismissing Shimron Hetmyer (5).
Despite the early collapse, Tom Curran provided a much-needed counterattack, smashing 64 off 34 balls, including nine boundaries and a six. His late fireworks, including a 30-ball half-century, lifted the Giants to 129/8—giving them a fighting chance.
Max Holden Guides Vipers Home with Composed 70
The Desert Vipers’ chase got off to a shaky start, with both openers departing in the powerplay. Alex Hales fell to Mark Adair, while Fakhar Zaman perished to Blessing Muzarabani, reducing the Vipers to 42/2.
Despite Dan Lawrence falling cheaply, Max Holden remained unfazed. He built a crucial 45-run stand with Sam Curran before Muzarabani struck again, dismissing Curran for 20.
Holden continued to anchor the innings, reaching his half-century in 42 balls. Even after the loss of Azam Khan, he ensured there were no further hiccups. His unbeaten 70 off 54 balls, laced with six fours and a six, guided the Vipers to victory in 19 overs, with Adam Hose providing steady support at the other end.
Post-Match Reactions
🗣 Wanindu Hasaranga (Player of the Match): “I kept things simple and stuck to my variations. Bowling here has always been favorable for me. Our bowlers set the tone, and the batters finished the job well.”
🗣 James Vince (Gulf Giants Captain): “We fell short with the bat. A total of 130 was always going to be hard to defend. Tom Curran’s innings gave us hope, but our top order needed to step up. Credit to the Vipers for an all-round performance.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
Max Holden’s Unbeaten 70: The backbone of the Vipers’ run chase
Wanindu Hasaranga’s Magic: 3 wickets for 16 runs in a game-changing spell
Tom Curran’s Explosive 64: A lone warrior for the Giants in an otherwise lackluster batting effort
Desert Vipers Secure Top-Two Finish: Strong position heading into the playoffs
Brief Scores
Gulf Giants 129/8 in 20 overs (Tom Curran 64 not out, Tom Alsop 17, James Vince 15, Wanindu Hasaranga 3 for 10, Sam Curran 3 for 28, Khuzaima Tanveer 1 for 12)
Desert Vipers 130/5 in 19 overs (Max Holden 70 not out, Sam Curran 16, Fakhar Zaman 14, Blessing Muzarabani 3 for 35)
Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants by five wickets
Zainab Shafiq