Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a decisive spell under intense pressure in the International League T20, finishing with 3 wickets for 25 runs, including two crucial wickets in the final over, to secure Desert Vipers’ 12-run victory while defending 173 against MI Emirates. In a match that threatened to swing late, Hasaranga’s composure and execution proved the difference.
With MI Emirates still in contention deep into the chase, the spotlight fell firmly on Hasaranga. The Sri Lankan all-rounder has built a reputation as a big-moment bowler, and once again he lived up to it. Entrusted with the responsibility of bowling at the death, he combined clarity of plan with fearless execution, shutting the door on MI Emirates’ hopes in the final moments.
Throughout his spell, Hasaranga bowled with control rather than excess flair. He varied his pace intelligently, mixed flatter deliveries with well-disguised googlies, and consistently hit a challenging length. MI Emirates’ batters struggled to line him up, forced into playing across the line or reaching for balls that refused to come onto the bat cleanly.
The middle overs were where Hasaranga quietly began to shift momentum. As MI Emirates looked to stabilise after a promising start, he applied the brakes, conceding very few easy runs. Dot balls mounted, pressure built, and batters were pushed into riskier shot selection. One key wicket in this phase disrupted a developing partnership and tilted the balance back towards Desert Vipers.
Still, the match remained alive heading into the final over. MI Emirates required a burst of boundaries to steal the game, and Hasaranga was handed the ball with everything on the line. What followed was a display of nerve and precision. Rather than defending passively, he attacked the stumps and trusted his variations. Two wickets in the over effectively ended the contest, draining the chase of momentum and sealing the outcome.
Those final-over dismissals were not just about skill, but mindset. Hasaranga showed no hesitation, no panic — just clarity. He understood the batters’ intentions, anticipated their shots, and executed accordingly. It was a reminder that elite T20 bowling at the death is as much about decision-making as it is about deception.
His figures of 3/25 reflected a spell that balanced economy with impact. In a format where bowlers are often measured only by runs conceded, Hasaranga’s ability to take wickets at critical moments elevated his performance. Each breakthrough came when MI Emirates threatened to regain control, making his contribution central to Desert Vipers’ success.
For Desert Vipers, Hasaranga’s performance reinforced their strength in high-pressure situations. Defending totals in T20 cricket requires specialists who can close games, and Hasaranga continues to prove he is one of the best in that role. His presence gives the side confidence to take calculated risks elsewhere, knowing the endgame is in safe hands.
For MI Emirates, the defeat will sting. They remained in the hunt until the final over but were ultimately outplayed by superior execution when it mattered most. Against a bowler of Hasaranga’s quality, hesitation is fatal — and that hesitation proved costly.
In the bigger picture, this match once again highlighted Wanindu Hasaranga’s value in franchise cricket. Calm under pressure, tactically sharp, and relentlessly competitive, his 3/25 — capped by two final-over wickets — was the defining performance of the contest and a textbook example of how elite T20 games are won at the death.
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