INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Defending champions Gulf Giants got off to winning start through their spectacular batting display and tight bowling to record an impressive
31-run win over Sharjah Warriors in the opening match of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.Gulf Giants posted 198
for 7 in 20 overs building on the strength of a fine opening partnership of 61 runs in 5.2 overs between skipper James Vince and Jamie Smith
Vince top scored with 45 runs off 35 balls with three boundaries and two sixes while Smith cracked a breezy 42 off 18 balls with three
boundaries and four sixes, Khaleej Times reported.Off spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who bowled brilliantly provided the breakthrough
He returned with figures of 4 for 15 producing carrom ball deliveries and accurate off cutters.Usman Khan hit a quick 32 runs off 18 balls
with four boundaries and a six while Jordan Cox chipped in with 32 off 22 balls with two boundaries and two sixes.At one stage it looked
like Giants could post over 225 runs but for Theekshan&s tight bowling and Chris Woakes&s two wickets for 35 runs.Sharjah Warriors began
their chase confidently through an opening partnership of 93 in 10.3 overs between Martin Guptill and Johnson Charles but in end could
muster only 167 for 7 in 20 overs
Jamie Overton struck to remove Guptill for 40 and also Charles for 57
After this partnership was broken Giants went for the kill with Chris Jordan striking twice in the 17th over.Guptill&s 40 came off 30 balls
with six boundaries and a six
Charles&s 57 off 38 balls had six boundaries and three sixes.Smith, who enthralled the crowd with some big hits, said: &It was nice to open
the tournament and get runs with the bat
Though the ball kept a bit low we did really well to post such a score through some cameos from our batters
In T20 you want to go out, enjoy and try to entertain.&The post Gulf Giants beat Sharjah Warriors in DP World ILT20 Season 2 opener first
