Congratulations to Middlesex duo Zafar Gohar and Max Holden who were crowned DP World ILT20 champions with Desert Vipers yesterday.
Holden amassed 359 runs across 12 matches at an average of 39.88 – notching three half-centuries with a best score of 66 not out – and ended the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer. Only Desert Vipers teammate Sam Curran and Muhammad Waseem of MI Emirates finished above the 28-year-old with 397 and 370 runs each respectively.
Gohar was in the squad during the tournament but did not feature.
Desert Vipers defeated MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final as Holden made a 32-ball 41, rounding off an excellent tournament for the left-handed batter.
MI Emirates won the toss in the final and elected to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Curran, who was captaining the side, top-scored with an unbeaten 74 and had support from Holden whose knock contained two fours and a six. There was also support from Dan Lawrence who made 23 and Fakhar Zaman who scored 20 at the top of the order as Desert Vipers posted 182/4 in their 20 overs.
In reply, MI Emirates were bowled out for 136 in 18.3 overs earning Desert Vipers their first ILT20 title, becoming the fourth team in as many editions to win the competition.
Speaking of the duo’s success, Middlesex’s Director of Cricket Alan Coleman commented:
“Congratulations to both Max and Zafar on winning the DP World ILT20 title over the weekend.
“It is great to see two of our players taste franchise success and start the year on a positive note. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come and that form can be continued when the Vitality Blast starts in May.
“For Max to finish the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer was amazing for him and is testament to the hard work he has put in over the last couple of years. We all hope this can be a springboard for further franchise cricket success in the months and years ahead.”
