WATCH: Sam Billings channels his inner MS Dhoni to effect a brilliant backhand run-out in ILT20

The ongoing International League T20 (ILT20) is reaching its business end with only a handful of games left to be played in the league stage before the playoffs begin. Meanwhile, Desert Vipers have become the first team to book their place in the playoffs following their crucial 22-run triumph against Sharjah Warriors at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

In the contest, Vipers, after opting to bat first, posted 148/6 on the board and restricted the Warriors to 126/8 to register a victory that also pushed them to acquire the numero uno position in the points table.

During the Warriors’ chase, a sharp wicketkeeping effort was seen from Sam Billings, who ran out Joe Denly. It all happened on the third ball of the 10th over bowled by Benny Howell when the medium pacer went for a good length delivery, and the batter tried to push it.

Denly got the bottom edge and aimlessly stepped out of his crease in the followthrough. The batter didn’t even bother dragging the bat back quickly as Billings was sharp enough behind the wicket and hit a backhand throw at the striker’s end to catch the Warriors skipper short. The way Billings ran out Denly, it surely reminded many fans of MS Dhoni, who was a maestro behind the stumps.

Here is the video:

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The run out of the #DPWorldILT20 so far courtesy @sambillings!💥#SWvDV #CricketOnZee #HarBallBawaal #MSDhoni #Dhoni #MSD @TheDesertVipers @sharjahstadium https://t.co/xp40sunqnN pic.twitter.com/tvKLLcWGV1

— Zee Cricket (@ilt20onzee) January 31, 2023

Speaking about the game, the Vipers got to 148/6 after valuable contributions from Howell (34 off 23), Rohan Mustafa (31 off 33) and Billings (27 off 23). In response, the Warriors kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never really got the desired momentum. Paul Walter was the top-scorer for them with 27 off 23 as Warriors only managed to reach 126/8, losing the contest by 22 runs. Luke Wood and Wanindu Hasaranga were the pick of the bowlers for Vipers, bagging a three-wicket haul each.