DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Embattled West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer had the headline performance among his peers after he set up Gulf Giants for a 25-run win against Desert Vipers in the International League (IL) T20 on Saturday.
Hetmyer slammed two fours and four sixes in the top score of 54 from 35 balls to later earn the Player of the Match award, as the Giants posted 180 for six from their 20 overs after being sent in to bat in the 27th match of the tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
West Indies left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell snared 1-30 from his allotted four overs.
Four pacers — all with ties to Barbados — were among the Giants bowlers who each took one wicket and restricted the Vipers to 155 for six in the chase.
Barbadian-born England international Chris Jordan was the pick of the Giants bowlers, taking 1-26 from his four overs; former Barbados Tridents pacer David Wiese took 1-27; former West Indies T20 International Captain Carlos Brathwaite bagged 1-34; and left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes, son of former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, grabbed 1-46.
England international Tom Curran hit an unbeaten 42 to lead the Vipers batting, but they were put under heavy manners by steady bowling from the Giants.
In the second match of a doubleheader, a group of Caribbean players led by Sunil Narine put in tidy performances, and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured a 20-run win against Sharjah Warriors at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Mystery spinner Narine returned the remarkable figures of 4-0-14-1, West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein grabbed 1-20 from his four overs, and Andre Russell conceded 20 in two wicketless overs as Knight Riders restricted the Warriors to 130 for nine.
West Indies left-handed opener Evin Lewis hit 23 in a supporting role for the Warriors before fellow West Indies opener Brandon King made 20 and the Knight Riders successfully chased their target with 20 balls remaining.