Russell, Narine, Holder lead Knight Riders into playoffs
The West Indies trio of Andre Russell, Jason Holder and Sunil Narine, starred with the ball to help the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders defeat the Gulf Giants by 32 runs and book their spot in the International League T20 playoffs here on Sunday.
Led by half centuries from openers Michael Pepper and Phil Salt, the Knight Riders posted a competitive total of 179 for one in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Player-of-the-Match Pepper topscored with 83 off 51 balls with six fours and four sixes, while Salt hit an unbeaten 72 off 56 balls, inclusive of four sixes and two fours, during an opening partnership of 131 in 15 overs.
Needing a win to secure a playoff berth, captain Holder then accounted for the Gulf’s opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck and James Vince for 19, to reduce them to 24 for two.
Russell and Narine then ran through the middle and lower order, as the Giants could only muster 147 for nine from their allotted 20 overs.
The Giants were still in with a chance at 107 for four in the 15th over, but Russell and Narine combined to claim the next five wickets, including that of Kyle Mayers for just six.
Russell ended with 3-13 from his two overs, Narine took 2-14 and Holder 2-24.
The crucial win confirmed the Knight Riders’ progression to the playoffs, where they will face the Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on January 1. (CMC)
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