Sherfane Rutherford stars as Desert Vipers defeat Dubai Capitals

Rutherford smashed 50 runs off 23 balls to help his side to a 22-run victory

Dubai: Desert Vipers 182-7, Dubai Capitals 160-7 – Desert Vipers won by 22 runs

Scorecard

Desert Vipers defeated Dubai Capitals by 22 runs, with Sherfane Rutherford playing a starring role.

The West Indian smashed 50 runs off 23 balls to power his side to a match-winning total.

Batting first, the Vipers lost Alex Hales and Colin Munro inside the powerplay to slip to 18 for 2 before gradually rebuilding through Rohan Mustafa (31 off 21), Sam Billings (54 off 48) and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Following the latter's dismissal in the 11th over – Vipers 76 for 4 – they burst into life, with Rutherford and Billings putting on 80 runs off 43 balls for the fifth wicket before both falling in the space of six deliveries at the death. Rutherford was run out by Robin Uthappa while Millings was caught by Rovman Powell off the bowling of Chamika Karunaratne.

^{Sheldon Cottrell celebrates in trademark fashion [ILT20]}

However, it wasn't the end of the destruction, with Tom Curran smashing 17 runs off nine balls and Luke Wood finishing unbeaten on 8 (3) as the Vipers closed on 182 for 7.

Fred Klaassen picked up three wickets for the Capitals, finishing with 3 for 34.

In reply, Uthappa (30 off 21) and Sikandar Raza (41 off 32) both made contributions in the top order as the Capitals made steady progress in their chase.

However, a run of three wickets in two overs halted them in their tracks and despite the best efforts of Powell, who scored 33 runs off 25 balls at No.5, and a late flurry from Adam Zampa (14 not out off 8), they couldn't complete a successful chase.

Sheldon Cottrell and Wood picked up two wickets apiece while Gus Atkinson, Curran and Hasaranga were also among the wickets.