Desert Vipers Clinch Victory as Khan Makes His Mark in UAE
TN Media News Pakistan:
Azam Khan delivered a record-breaking performance in the International League T20 (ILT20), scoring the fastest half-century in the tournament’s history. In a thrilling match on Saturday, Khan blazed his way to 50 runs off just 20 balls, leading the Desert Vipers to a dominant six-wicket win over the Gulf Giants in the UAE.
Record-Breaking Knock Lights Up ILT20
Khan’s explosive innings featured five boundaries and four massive sixes. His aggressive play helped the Vipers chase down a 161-run target with ease, securing victory with 19 balls to spare.
Skipper Colin Munro also played a key role, scoring 51 off 36 balls with six fours and two sixes. With this win, the Desert Vipers climbed to third place on the ILT20 table. Meanwhile, the Gulf Giants, last season’s champions, slipped to the bottom.
Gulf Giants’ Batting Effort Falls Short
Batting first, the Gulf Giants posted a total of 160 for 7. Key contributions came from Chris Lynn (31), Jordan Cox (26), and Shimron Hetmyer, who remained unbeaten on 40 off just 23 balls.
Despite setting a competitive target, the Giants struggled to take early wickets something Hetmyer acknowledged in his post-match comments.
Azam Khan’s Confidence and Impact
Opening the Vipers’ chase, Rohan Mustafa and Alex Hales gave the team a steady start with 23 runs in the first 3.3 overs. After Mustafa fell for 10, it was Azam Khan who immediately took charge.
He smashed his first ball for six and never looked back. Speaking after the match, Khan said he enjoyed every moment and always felt confident he could finish the game. He also praised ILT20 for giving Pakistani players valuable exposure ahead of the Pakistan Super League.
Looking Ahead
Shimron Hetmyer remained hopeful about Gulf Giants’ playoff hopes, stressing the importance of upcoming games. With four matches left, he emphasized the need to regroup and push for wins.
Azam Khan’s record-setting performance was more than just a personal milestone. It underscored the high-octane action ILT20 brings and reinforced his growing reputation as a power-hitter in T20 cricket.
