ILT20 2025, Match 30 Review: All-round ADKR crush Gulf Giants

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders thrashed Gulf Giants by 32 runs in match 30 of International League T20 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on December 28.

The Giants inserted Knight Riders to bat and instantly rued the decision as Phil Salt and Michael Pepper tore into their bowling attack mercilessly. The duo gave no respite to the opposition, launching a relentless assault in the powerplay after getting their eyes in.

The Knight Riders made a quiet start, with only 23 runs coming in the first four overs. However, they changed gears against Azmatullah Omarzai, belting him for three sixes in the fifth over before taking the attack to Aayan Afzal in the final over of the powerplay.

The Giants' bowlers managed to keep things relatively quiet in the middle phase, but Salt and Pepper ensured a steady rotation of strike while punishing any poor deliveries. Salt smacked two fours and four sixes in his 56-ball 72 while Pepper struck six fours and four sixes in his stellar 51-ball 83.

The Giants’ search for a breakthrough went on until the 15th over, as the duo added 131 off just 90 balls before Pepper holed out to long-on. Liam Livingstone then joined Salt, staying unbeaten on 18 off 13 with the Knight Riders notching up 179 for just one wicket at the end of the innings.

Out to chase 180, the Giants had a disastrous start as they lost three wickets inside the powerplay as Jason Holder struck in consecutive overs to send back openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a four-ball duck and skipper James Vince for 19 off 10, while Ajay Kumar had Ben Kellaway’s number as the latter gave an easy chance to the man at cover while trying to muscle a slower one.

Moeen Ali was the lone warrior for the Giants, scoring 78 off 49 deliveries with five fours and six sixes; however, he had no batter who could hold the other end up as wickets kept tumbling at regularly.

Olly Stone undid Omarzai for a lacklustre 8 off 14, while Sunil Narine landed a double blow in the 15th over, dismissing Kyle Mayers (6 off 10) and Sean Dickson (0 off 2) in the space of two balls to end any chances of a late comeback. Andre Russell had a double-wicket over of his own to wrap up the tail, as he struck twice in the 17th over to see the back of Khans - Aayan and Ali - as the Giants were restricted to 147 for 9.

The encounter capped off the group stage of the 2025 season, with Giants finishing fifth in the tally with seven losses and three wins. Knight Riders, meanwhile, narrowly escaped disqualification, ending with eight points after winning four and losing six in their 10.