The Desert Vipers’ unbeaten run in DP World ILT20 Season 4 came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night, as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders edged a pulsating contest by one run at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
A commanding half-century from Liam Livingstone laid the foundation before a disciplined bowling effort, led by Andre Russell, Ajay Kumar and Jason Holder, held firm under pressure to defend 181/5, denying the Vipers a seventh straight victory.
Early Blows, Then Livingstone Takes Charge
Asked to bat first, the Knight Riders were rocked early, slipping to 9/2 inside two overs. Khuzaima Tanveer struck with the opening delivery to remove Phil Salt, and Lockie Ferguson followed up by trapping Michael Pepper LBW.
Alex Hales (25 off 18) counterattacked with authority inside the powerplay, striking two fours and two sixes, but his dismissal in the fifth over left the Knight Riders 48/3.
The innings was steadied by Liam Livingstone (76 off 48) and UAE batter Alishan Sharafu (39 off 35), who weathered a testing middle phase with a composed 50-run partnership. Livingstone then shifted gears, launching Qais Ahmad for back-to-back sixes to bring up a 36-ball half-century.
Late Surge Pushes Total Past 180
With the platform set, Sherfane Rutherford (24 off 14)* joined Livingstone to add 68 runs in 30 balls, giving the Knight Riders vital momentum at the death. Rutherford punished Noor Ahmad in a 19-run over, while Livingstone finished with six fours and three sixes before becoming Ferguson’s third wicket of the night.
The late flourish lifted the Knight Riders to 181/5, a total that proved just enough.
Vipers’ Openers Set The Tone
In reply, the Desert Vipers got off to a flying start through Fakhar Zaman (44 off 32) and Max Holden (52 off 43), who added 53 runs without loss in the powerplay.
The pair rotated the strike efficiently and found boundaries regularly, with Holden bringing up his half-century from 40 balls, including six fours. The chase appeared well under control until Andre Russell delivered the breakthrough in the 12th over.
Pressure Mounts As Knight Riders Strike Back
Russell struck twice in quick succession, first removing Holden and then Fakhar Zaman as the Vipers slipped to 114/2. Sunil Narine tightened the screws brilliantly, conceding just 23 runs in his four overs, forcing the batters to take risks.
Hasan Nawaz briefly reignited hopes with two consecutive sixes off Ajay Kumar but was dismissed immediately after. Sam Curran (11 off 10) and Shimron Hetmyer (7 off 4) also fell in quick succession, leaving the Vipers needing 19 runs from the final two overs.
Ajay Kumar Holds Nerve At The Death
A late cameo from Khuzaima Tanveer (16 off 9) dragged the chase deep, but Ajay Kumar kept his composure in the final over, successfully defending 12 runs to seal a thrilling one-run win for the Knight Riders.
It was very much needed for us tonight. Today was a very important game for us, so I’m glad we could get the win. I was pretty happy with the way I paced the innings, getting 25 off 25 and then pressing the gas. The most pleasing thing is being able to get a score and contribute.
Reflecting on the defeat, Desert Vipers captain Lockie Ferguson said: “It’s not a great result, obviously, but it was a great game of cricket. The boys will be hurting, but we’ll take the dividends from tonight.”
Brief Scores: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 181/5 in 20 overs (Liam Livingstone 76, Alishan Sharafu 39, Sherfane Rutherford 24*; Lockie Ferguson 3/34) Desert Vipers 180/6 in 20 overs (Max Holden 52, Fakhar Zaman 44, Hasan Nawaz 23; Andre Russell 2/16, Ajay Kumar 2/47, Jason Holder 1/28). Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Desert Vipers by one run.
