Khuzaima Tanveer's stirring 4-10 sets up Desert Vipers' win

UAE pacer Khuzaima Tanveer's stirring spell of bowling in the early stages hamstrung Gulf Giants, who still managed a total beyond 150 but finished second-best to Desert Vipers.

Tanveer picked all four of his wickets—Rahmanullah Gurbaz, James Vince, Pathum Nissanka, and Gerhard Erasmus—inside the PowerPlay, finishing with figures of 4/10, including 16 dot balls. Giants posted 157/7, a total Desert Vipers chased down by the 17th over through Sam Curran (67* off 43) and Max Holden (64* off 41).

Giants were reduced to 30/4 in the PowerPlay by Tanveer. Kyle Mayers attempted a recovery, but Noor Ahmad dismissed him in the 10th over, leaving Giants at 67/5 at the halfway stage. Asif Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai added 49 off the next 6.5 overs before Liam Dawson arrived swinging, hitting three fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 38 off 14 balls.

Vipers lost a couple of wickets early to give Giants hope, but Holden and Curran's unbroken 123-run stand off 77 balls, featuring 13 fours and three sixes, sealed an easy win.

Brief Scores: Gulf Giants 157/7 in 20 overs (Liam Dawson 38*, Asif Khan 36; Khuzaima Tanveer 4-10, Noor Ahmad 2-22) lost to Desert Vipers 158/2 in 16.5 overs (Sam Curran 67*, Max Holden 64*) by 8 wickets.