Lockie Ferguson made an unforgettable debut in the International League (ILT20) by striking with his very first delivery, removing Joe Clarke with an extraordinary piece of bowling in Match 2 between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Desert Vipers.
Desert Vipers’ captain Lockie Ferguson strikes on his first ball in ILT20
The ball, delivered at 136 kph, showcased Ferguson’s ability to deceive batters with subtle variations in pace. Pitched on a full length just outside the off stump, the delivery angled in sharply, exploiting the seam movement to perfection. Clarke, attempting an expansive drive, failed to account for the inward movement and ended up playing down the wrong line. The result was spectacular – the ball evaded Clarke’s bat and uprooted his leg stump, leaving him stunned and the crowd roaring. This precise and devastating delivery highlighted Ferguson’s ability to adapt his skills to any situation, underlining his value as a genuine game-changer. It was a perfect start for Ferguson, setting the tone for an impactful ILT20 campaign.
Here’s the video:
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁! Yeh kya hota hai? ⚡
Captain Ferguson comes and delivers from ball 1️⃣ 🫡#ILT20onZee #T20HeroesKaJalwa #DPWorldILT20 #ADKRvDV pic.twitter.com/Xchm2eZzaV
— Zee Cricket (@ilt20onzee) January 12, 2025
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Steady start for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders despite early wickets
The Knight Riders faced an uphill battle in their second match of the ILT20 2025 season against the Vipers after being put in to bat at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi. The Knight Riders lost early wickets, with Kyle Mayers departing for just 2 runs in the third over, followed by Joe Clarke’s dismissal by Ferguson in the fourth over. Michael Pepper showed some intent but fell to a sharp run-out by Sam Curran, leaving the team at 39/3 after the powerplay.
Despite the setbacks, Salt anchored the innings with a composed 36 off 31 balls, supported by Alishan Sharafu‘s steady contribution of 15 runs. The Vipers’ bowlers, led by Mohammad Amir and Ferguson, kept things tight, with Amir conceding just six runs in 2.3 overs. At the halfway mark, the Knight Riders had managed to reach 68/3 , maintaining a run rate of around 6 but needing a strong finish from their middle and lower order.
Also READ: International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 Squads: Players list and captains of all six teams
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