New Delhi: The Gulf Giants clinched their first victory in the DP World ILT20 Season 3 with a commanding six-wicket win over the Dubai Capitals on Saturday evening. Chasing a target of 166 Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer formed a match-winning partnership adding 80 runs off just 44 balls. Erasmus finished with an unbeaten 34-ball fifty while Hetmyer remained not out on 41 runs from just 20 balls including four sixes. Batting first the Dubai Capitals struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets at regular intervals. They were restricted to 165/7 in their 20 overs. Aayan Afzal Khan and Mark Adair led the Giants bowling attack each picking up two wickets. Despite a strong start from Ben Dunk who made 28 runs off 18 balls the Capitals could not capitalize on their early aggression. Early Breakthroughs for Gulf Giants Adam Lyth set the tone for the Giants’ chase with an aggressive 32-run innings off just 17 balls hitting four boundaries and a six. However his knock ended in the eighth over when Farhan Khan claimed his wicket. Earlier James Vince was dismissed for just 10 runs in the 4th over giving Obed McCoy the first breakthrough. The Capitals tightened their grip shortly after dismissing Ibrahim Zadran putting the Giants under pressure with two early wickets. Giants Middle Order Stabilizes the Innings With the Giants at 88/5 in 11.5 overs Jordan Cox and Gerhard Erasmus consolidated the innings with a crucial 35-run stand. Cox played a careful knock of 27 runs but was dismissed while attempting a big shot caught by Olly Stone off Sikandar Razas bowling. Erasmus and Hetmyer Power Giants to Victory At 88/5 Erasmus and Hetmyer stepped up needing 48 runs in 30 balls to win the match. Erasmus played a pivotal role reducing the pressure with a 12-run over against Obed McCoy in the 16th over. Hetmyer followed up with an explosive 18-run over including two sixes off Olly Stone. The pair added 14 more runs in the 18th over before Hetmyer hit a six over mid-wicket to finish the chase in 18.1 overs. Dubai Capitals’ Mixed Start with the Bat Earlier the Dubai Capitals’ batting innings had a mixed start. They lost both openers during the powerplay despite showing aggressive intent. Shai Hope was dismissed for 11 runs by Blessing Muzarabani and Ben Dunk who had been looking dangerous was dismissed for 28 runs by Uzair Khan. Aayan Afzal Khan Leads Giants Bowling Attack Aayan Afzal Khan was instrumental in the Giants’ success taking two wickets for 12 runs. He struck in the 8th over dismissing Brandon McMullen for just 11 runs. Sikandar Raza and Rovman Powell steadied the innings with a valuable 45-run stand but neither batter could convert their starts into big scores. Raza was dismissed for 28 by Wahidullah Zadran while Powell was out for 25 off Aayan Afzal Khan. Late Rally by Dasun Shanaka In the death overs Gulbadin Naib contributed 15 runs but it was Dasun Shanaka’s late blitz that lifted the Capitals to a more respectable total. Shanaka’s 33 not out off 20 balls including three sixes helped the Capitals finish at 165/7 in their 20 overs. Gerhard Erasmus Reflects on the Victory Player of the Match Gerhard Erasmus reflected on the importance of the win. “We were raring to get our first win after losing the first few games. When you know you have quality around you you know you have a bit more time. I think teams can get tense when youre not getting your first win but we came together and created positive energy which helped us express ourselves” he said. Sikandar Raza on the Sharjah Wicket Dubai Capitals captain Sikandar Raza noted “It was a little bit more like a Sharjah wicket. The way Erasmus and Hetmyer were batting even 170 wouldnt have been enough. Sometimes we doze off here and there and it has cost us a couple of games. In the DP World ILT20 anybody can beat anybody.” Brief Scores Dubai Capitals: 165/7 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 33*; Sikandar Raza 28; Aayan Afzal Khan 2/12 Mark Adair 2/39) Gulf Giants: 168/4 in 18.1 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 50*; Shimron Hetmyer 41*; Adam Lyth 32; Farhan Khan 1/14 Sikandar Raza 1/31) Player of the Match: Gerhard Erasmus