Giants vs Vipers, 24th Match at Dubai, ILT20, Jan 29 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all of the action from us today. Thanks for tuning in. Signing off on behalf of myself, Chandan and the rest of the ESPNcricinfo crew. Goodnight.

Player of the Match Wanindu Hasaranga: "I just tried to do my basic things and try to bowl my wrong-uns and like spin at the stumps. So I think that's why I had success. Yeah, I like this venue, I took so many wickets here, even in the Asia Cup also. So I love to play here. The players did really well, especially the fast bowlers, they did a great job, and then the betters, they have done their jobs and as a team we did our things well."

Lockie Ferguson: "Look, the boys are very happy. Obviously, the last game was a tough one for the lads, but we bounced back again tonight. I thought the bowling was exceptional. So yeah, very happy with the evening. We actually had a good record in the end, I think. But the boys we've talked a lot about bowling that hard length. I'm trying to create chances throughout. They didn't go to hand, but hopefully next game, It'll come through. (Final XI) Yeah, Maxie (Holden) is unreal. He's been training so hard. He's been the heartbeat of the team and behind the scenes. Every game, he turns out with a smile on his face, trying to do and trying to add to the bucket for the team. So nice to see him, get some runs. We'll see how we get the next game. We've actually got a couple days off now. So a little team golf day tomorrow and then we'll maybe look at it after that."

James Vince: "Obviously, it wasn't a great performance with the bat. That's where we lost the game, 130. So, it's going to be tough to defend. Conditions are tricky. But we've got enough quality there to deal with it better than we did. So as you say, the first 10 overs of the batting Innings puts right on the back foot. And we've got TC fought back really well with the bat and gave us something. Probably one in 10 you might be able to just make a game of it. I thought we fought really well with the ball and took it as deep as we could. But yeah ultimately it was a bit short with the bat. (TC) Gave us some belief at one stage, we were looking at less than 100. So yeah, fantastic partnership. TC played brilliantly and supported well Aayan and so, he did give us a bit of belief when you had to come out and get early wickets and dry them up. We got a few wickets. But every time we built that pressure, the mini partnership grew and they found a boundary, so we never could really fight away properly back into that game. I felt the scene was quite threatening. Obviously, with the short boundary and certain players in it just didn't feel like it matched up that well, Whenever he's (Aayan) called upon, he has delivered. But just sort of against the batters that are in and conditions out there tonight. Gerhard was a better option. (Playoffs) Yeah, I think so. Obviously haven't looked at the table yet, but yeah, we know. It's got to be do or die now, we've got to go out and put on two good performances and see if we can sneak in."

It should have been a stroll in the park for the Vipers, but they managed to make things tough and drag the game down till the very end. Jordan caught a screamer at mid-on to remove Alex Hales early in the game. Holden had a standout performance, scoring 70 runs off 54 balls and remaining at the crease till the end. Curran and Holden performed well together to keep them on pace. The Giants were able to pick up wickets throughout the innings. The Vipers batters also assisted them by throwing their wickets away. However, the Giants bowlers were unable to defend since there were insufficient runs on board. Muzarabani bowled superbly, picking up three wickets. With tonight's victory, the Vipers secure first place with 14 points.

Desert Vipers won by 5 wickets

10 runs needed from 12 balls, here's Tom Curran to bowl the penultimate over

Quick chat between Vince and Aayan

Aayan joins the attack, around the wicket