ABU DHABI: A brilliant century from Andries Ghose and frugal bowling from debutant Usman Tariq helped Desert Vipers to a 45-run win over MI Emirates in ILT20 Qualifier 1.
The win pushes the Vipers into the finals as MI face the winner of Eliminator 1 between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Dubai Capitals in Sharjah on Thursday.
Batting first, the leaders piled up 233/1 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a formidable partnership between openers Ghose and Fakhar Zaman.
The opening pair dominated MI Emirates’ bowling attack and scored 157 runs, with both Ghose and Zaman scoring half-centuries each.
The partnership finally culminated in the 16th over when AM Ghazanfar was caught at long-on. The left-handed opener returned after scoring 69 off 50 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Gouse, on the other hand, remained steadfast and scored an unbeaten 38 off 12 balls with 4 sixes and 2 fours in the midst of an unbeaten 76-run partnership with captain Sam Curran.
The USA international took his bat full force and scored an unbeaten 120 off 58 balls with 9 sixes and 7 fours.
Ghazanfar was the only bowler to take a wicket for MI Emirates in the high-stakes match.
Chasing a tough target of 234, MI Emirates posted 188/7 in 20 overs despite Tom Panton’s half-century.
The chase got off to a rough start as MI Emirates lost opener Andre Fletcher (four) for 27 in the fourth over.
Panton then joined Muhammad Wasim in the middle and the duo put on 81 runs in 7 overs to chase down MI Emirates, crossing the 100-run mark in the 11th over.
Naseem Shah eventually broke the crucial stand by dismissing Wasim in the 11th over, while Panton fell victim to debutant Usman in the next over.
Panton remained the top scorer for MI Emirates with 63 off 27 balls, followed by Wasim’s 41 off 32 balls.
MI Emirates lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short of the target despite Romario Shepherd’s 23-ball unbeaten 39.
Debutant Tariq was the standout bowler for the Vipers with 3 for 33 in his four overs, followed by David Payne with 2 wickets and Kuzaima Tanveer and Naseem with one each.