Shadab Khan stars as Desert Vipers thrash Unicorns in GSL 2026

GUYANA: Captain Shadab Khan produced a sensational spell before the top order made light work of the chase as Desert Vipers crushed the San Francisco Unicorns by nine wickets in the seventh match of the Global Super League (GSL) 2026 at Providence Stadium on Monday.

Asked to bat first, the Unicorns were restricted to 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs, with Shadab claiming outstanding figures of 4/13 from his four overs.

The Pakistan all-rounder dismantled the middle order as the Vipers kept the scoring in check throughout the innings.

Opening batter Tim Robinson top-scored for the Unicorns with 48 from 35 balls, striking five fours and a six. Wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen contributed 37 off 29 deliveries, including six boundaries.

Hammad Azam provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 21 from 13 balls, smashing two sixes, while Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Oliver Peake chipped in with 15 and 14 respectively.

Captain Hassan Khan managed just seven from four deliveries before being dismissed, Fabian Allen fell for a second-ball duck, and Anirudh Immanuel added five runs.

Nathan Smith, Khary Pierre and Zachary Carter each claimed one wicket to support Shadab's match-winning spell.

In reply, the Vipers comfortably chased down the 152-run target in just 16.1 overs, losing only one wicket.

Openers Zachary Carter and Saiteja Mukkamalla laid the perfect platform with a dominant opening partnership. Carter led the scoring with a blistering 55 from 29 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

Mukkamalla remained unbeaten on 52 from 42 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes, while Rilee Rossouw finished the chase with an unbeaten 38 off 26 balls, including six boundaries, as the Vipers sealed a commanding nine-wicket victory.