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Gulf Giants (Source: Twitter)
Chris Lynn's unbeaten 72, combined with Gerhard Erasmus's elegant 30 and Shimron Hetmyer's unbeaten 25, helped Gulf Giants win the inaugural ILT20 2023 by seven wickets in the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (February 12).
Gulf Giants restricted Desert Vipers to 146 for 8 in 20 overs in front of a packed stadium, thanks to Carlos Brathwaite's fine three-wicket spell, and then produced an electrifying finish to the first edition of the ILT20.
The Gulf Giants won the toss and promptly chose to bowl. On the other hand, despite Wanindu Hasaranga's 55 off 27 balls, with six boundaries and two sixes, the Desert Vipers failed to post a large total. Sam Billings also contributed 31 off 29 balls with three boundaries. For the fifth wicket, the pair had put on 72 runs in 37 balls. Carlos Brathwaite (3 for 19) and Qais Ahmad (2 for 29) were the chief destroyers in the Desert Vipers' innings.
A large Sunday crowd created an electrifying atmosphere in the stadium, cheering on the pulsating chase to the target. Lynn shone under the Ring of Fire with his unbeaten 72 runs off 50 balls, including nine boundaries and one six.
He and Erasmus, who hit 30 off 33 balls, added 73 runs in 62 balls for the third wicket. Hetmyer and Lynn then added an unbeaten 50-run partnership off 25 balls for the fourth wicket. Hetmyer relieved the Gulf Giants' chasing pressure with an unbeaten 25 off 13 balls and five boundaries. Eventually, the Gulf Giants become the inaugural champions with seven wickets and eight wickets to spare.
Speaking about their victory, Gulf Giants’ captain James Vince said, “We set the tone brilliantly with the ball when we reduced them to 25 for three. The pressure was well and truly on them. We couldn't have got off to a better start. Hasaranga fought back in the middle, but we managed to dismiss him. Chris Lynn showed his class and maturity to see the game through for us along with Hetmyer in the end.”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Gulf Giants' win
Appreciation for commentary done during DPWORLD ILT20. Wonderful 5 weeks in Dubai. Gulf Giants the Champions of the Inaugural Edition. Well played 👏👏👏. pic.twitter.com/quwUTcBS2z
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) February 13, 2023
Gulf Giants are the champions of ILT20. pic.twitter.com/pmPVFsl5VX
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 12, 2023
RCB be like :- pic.twitter.com/ct52dTAO1z
— ҒIRΣ 45 (@MyWorld264) February 12, 2023
Adani kahi to acha kar raha h😅 pic.twitter.com/jqAjluhysK
— abhishek agrawal🇮🇳 (@abhishe92065110) February 12, 2023
RCB can't relate
— ҒIRΣ 45 (@MyWorld264) February 12, 2023
These type of trophies can't change the fact that RCB still can't win a trophy since 2008
— ҒIRΣ 45 (@MyWorld264) February 12, 2023
Perth scorcher done ✅
— CRICKET DUGOUT (@Cricket_Dugout) February 12, 2023
Sunrisers Eastern Cape ✅
Gulf Giant's ✅
Now it's time for SRH
ORANGE 🧡 YEAR 🧡 pic.twitter.com/rG1969T09v
Yet another tournament for Andy flower. The Gulf giants are the inaugural @ilt20official champions. Congratulations to them! @ilt20onzee#DVvGG #CricketOnZee #BawaalFinalWeek #PehlaBawaalChampion pic.twitter.com/W8Z5JtjYWt
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) February 12, 2023
RaGa : Ye bhi Adani ko de diya, Modi ji sab kuch Adani ko de rhe hai !
— Harsh Tegta (@tegtaharsh97) February 12, 2023
Congratulations Andy on your #SuperGiant achievement with the Gulf Giants in ILT20! 🥳
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) February 13, 2023
Hoping for a 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒚 campaign together in #IPL2023 too 🏆 🤞#LucknowSuperGiants | #LSG pic.twitter.com/vBCZbZjfy7