Sport

ILT20: Records shattered as MI Emirates humble Desert Vipers by 154 runs

The triumph also marked the second highest margin for a victory in the DP World ILT20

Published

3 months ago

January 28, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Tom Banton etched his name in DP World ILT20 history on Monday, becoming the first batter to score two centuries in the competition as MI Emirates cruised to a commanding 154-run victory over table-toppers Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The triumph also marked the second highest margin for a victory in the DP World ILT20.

Banton combined with Andre Fletcher to construct the highest stand for any wicket in T20s on UAE soil at 198 runs.

Andre Fletcher remained unbeaten on 96 runs, while Banton scored 105 runs to steer the MI Emirates to 228/2 – the second highest total in the DP World ILT20 history.

In response, the Vipers only managed 74 runs matching the record for the lowest score across three seasons of the DP World ILT20.

With only two batters crossing double figures the Vipers were eventually bowled out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs.

Speaking after the game, Player of the match, Tom Banton said: “I didn’t get off to a flier; I just knew the longer I stayed, the better chance I had. Sometimes you don’t time it as well as you’d like, and sometimes you do.

“As a top-order batter, you come up against very good bowlers, so having a good technique is important. It’s about looking at the match situation and scenario, not just teeing off.

“We came into this game on the back of two losses and were a bit under pressure. It’s a special night for MI Emirates, but we don’t want to take it for granted.”

Captaining the Desert Vipers in place of Lockie Ferguson who was rested for the encounter, Sam Curran said: “We just get the game out of the way and move on. That can happen in cricket. We were a little off with our fielding and energy.

“It’s such a quick tournament, and we play again the day after tomorrow, so we’ll have another chance. We can bounce back, and there’s no need to panic. It’s about learning and reflecting.

Ariana Television is broadcasting the event live across Afghanistan. See full schedule below.

Up Next

ILT20: Desert Vipers are real title contenders, says Harbhajan Singh

Don't Miss

Afghanistan’s Omarzai named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

Sport

Afghanistan A registers massive win over Ireland A in 4-day match

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Afghanistan A cricket team defeated Ireland A by an innings and 194 runs in a four-day Test match that ended on Thursday.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan A team scored 612 runs in their first innings for the loss of seven wickets.

Bahir Shah (187), Riaz Hassan (94), Imran (85), Shams-ur-Rahman (84), Afsar Zazai (55) and Darwish Rasooli (53) were the major contributors for the total.

The Irish team scored 309 runs in their first innings, before being asked by Afghanistan to follow on.

Ireland A were bowled out for only 109 runs in their second innings.

Arab Gul was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan A as he took 10 wickets. Zia-ur-Rehman followed with five wickets.

Sport

Afghanistan win U-19 cricket series despite rain-impacted loss to Nepal

Published

4 days ago

April 9, 2025

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Nepal’s U-19 cricket team defeated Afghanistan by 85 runs via the DLS method in the rain-hit final match of their three-game series at Mulpani Cricket Stadium. However, Afghanistan won the series 2–1, having already secured victory in the first two match.

Batting first, Nepal posted 191 all out in 44.5 overs, with Sahil Patel scoring 46. Afghanistan struggled in response, collapsing to 46 for 6 in 20.1 overs before rain intervened. The match ended with Nepal’s 85-run victory under the DLS method.

Afghanistan had earlier dominated the series with a 130-run win in the first match and a dramatic one-run victory in the second. Despite the rain-affected loss, Afghanistan’s 2–1 series triumph highlighted their overall superiority, while Nepal showed potential in their final match.