The England and Nottinghamshire batter falls agonisingly short of a second consecutive century before a late flurry allows Giants to extend their winning run
Dubai: Desert Vipers 195-4, Gulf Giants 196-5 - Gulf Giants won by five wickets
Gulf Giants produced a perfectly-paced run chase to maintain their winning start to the International League T20 against Desert Vipers in Dubai.
In a clash between the top two at the start of play, Alex Hales (99) fell agonisingly short of a second consecutive tournament century as Vipers made 195 for 4 from their 20 overs.
Rohan Mustafa (23), Colin Munro (39) and Sherfane Rutherford (27) all made telling contributions but they were once again overshadowed by the England T20 World Cup winner.
Hales fell agonisingly short of a second consecutive ILT20 century (ILT20/Twitter)
Hales, the Nottinghamshire batter, lashed 10 fours and five sixes and looked to be heading towards back-to-back hundreds before being caught on the boundary by Shimron Hetmyer off Chris Jordan.
It was a tough day for teenage spinner Rehan Ahmed, who went to the boundary on six occasions during four wicketless overs which cost 52.
Giants were in immediate trouble during the chase, being reduced to 30 for 3 in the fifth over.
James Vince (4) was bowled by Sheldon Cottrell, Tom Banton (3) was dismissed by Tom Curran and Ahmed (1) was caught behind off Wanindu Hasaranga.
Giants made a crucial comeback with the ball (KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)
But the chase was calmed by a 117-run stand between Chris Lynn (71) and Hetmyer (70).
Cottrell got rid of his countryman after being hit for consecutive fours, to leave Giants needing 49 from 39 balls.
Lynn played onto his own stumps but the runs continued to flow. David Wiese (22 not out) showed all of his experience in the closing overs while Liam Dawson (16 not out) was the chief aggressive, smashing Gus Atkinson to the rope twice at the end of the penultimate over.
Just three were needed in the final set and Vipers threw away any chance of a late revival when Wiese was put down, gifting a fourth straight win to Giants.
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