Giants vs DC, 16th Match at Dubai, ILT20, Jan 23 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

10.09pm That's all from us tonight. See you tomorrow for more franchise cricket action!

Time for the presentation.

Losing captain Vince: "Shanaka's striking in the end there, he was probably the only guy who struck it well. We did lots of good things but game got taken away in last three overs. We had gotten ourselves in a position where we could've win. Gerhard one of our better fielders but some missed chances cost us. I think we batted well. Slow and low. Cox played a good innings that made our score look defendable. I think key moments really. Couple of runs short at the top of the order as well. We've got ourselves in winning positions in half of the games. Fine margins, we aren't out of the competition."

Winning captain Raza: "It's the home ground and home team has to win their games here. We adjusted to the wickets here better. Tough for the oppositions since they just played one game here while we play six here. I looked at the wicket and didn't think it was that tough. In my heart, I was quite confident. It was an okayish score. Shai got 40-odd, he wanted to carry on, but these things happen. Then Dasun scoring at 300 (340) strike-rate certainly helped. I still think we haven't played our best game yet, which is good, but we are peaking at the right time. We can get some more energies. We haven't bowled a lot of extras or no-balls, so those are some good things."

Player of the Match is Shai Hope for his 47, catch and run-out: (Catch) The surface was a little slow so I had to stand closer. I stuck my hand out and it stayed. Chameera has pace too. I've been trying to grow. Any time you play in overseas conditions you have to adjust quickly. I try to improve in all aspects. The way I've been going so far is commendable, want to continue. Just trying to find ways to get better."

9.54pm Oh what a furious end to the innings. DC get a win, which briefly looked too tough to do, and also get an NRR boost. All thanks to Dasun Shanaka's blitz right at the end. As I said, he's got my vote for POTM, for his 34 at a strike-rate of 340. Sikandar Raza also played a captain's knock to firm up one end and Shai Hope set the chase up with a classy 47 too. Aayan's efforts with the ball go to waste. Also goes abeggin' is Jordan Cox's 70 from the first innings. DC go up the table, GG slide further.

Shanaka possibly contender for POTM with this effort. He's got my vote if DC win

DC's game to lose?

what a start by Shanaka