Twitter Reactions: Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer take Gulf Giants home in high-scoring thriller

Gulf Giants registered a win by five wickets against Desert Vipers in thriller of a contest played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the ILT20 on Sunday, January 22.

Opting to field first, the decision made by skipper James Vince backfired as the rival side put up a rather competitive total of 195 runs in the first innings courtesy of Alex Hales’ sensational 99-run knock off just 57 balls.

Hales’ knocked five maximums and 10 boundaries in his innings before being dismissed by Chris Jordan just one shy of a century. Meanwhile, Vipers skipper Colin Munro too hit the ground running swiftly, but was unable to convert it into a big score as he was sent packing for 39 off 23 by Richard Gleeson.

Gulf Giants chase down 195 runs despite losing early wickets

With the competitive total set by Desert Vipers, the onus was on the openers of the rival side to lay a solid foundation. However, openers Tom Banton and James Vince were dismissed in quick time in under four overs, which added more pressure on the rest of the team to shift gears. 

Despite losing early wickets, explosive batter Chris Lynn held his nerves coming in the middle order and carved out a sensational knock. The batter executed a rescue job with his innings as he scored 71 of just 42 balls to tilt the momentum in Gulf Giants’ favour. 

Lynn stitched an all-important 117-run partnership with Shimron Hetmyer which steered the side to get close to the total. Hetmyer dominated the proceedings as well, scoring 70 off just 35 with the the help of five sixes and as many fours. Soon after their dismissals, veteran cricketer David Wiese (22 off 19) and Liam Dawson (16 off 9) wrapped up the contest with just three balls remaining. 

Here's how Twitter reacted to Gulf Giants' thrilling victory:

Great chase by Gulf Giants. Amazing stuff #ILT20

— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) January 22, 2023

Quite surprised to see Cottrell not bowling the penultimate over #ILT20

— Shamroz Khan (@Shamroz87) January 22, 2023

4 by Wiese #ILT20

— Shamroz Khan (@Shamroz87) January 22, 2023

Shimron Hetmyer departs after a game changing knock. He has put Gulf Giants in a very comfortable position to win this match.

📸: Zee 5#Hetmyer #GulfGiants #DesertVipers #DPWorldILT20 #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/MPVq3lbqGg

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 22, 2023

Alex Hales in this ILT20 league so far:

•83*(52).
•64(47).
•110(59).
•99(57).

4 innings, 356 runs, 118.66 average, 165.58 strike rate!

— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) January 22, 2023

David Wiese the match finisher 🙌
LQ blood #ILT20

— saa_19 (@196khi) January 22, 2023

Four Consecutive Wins for @GulfGiants in #ILT20. Gulf Giants won by 5 Wickets. Fantastic Knock @SHetmyer 70(35) and @lynny50 71(42).#DVvGG

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) January 22, 2023