Sharjah,
The Dubai Capitals were unstoppable as they outshone the Desert Vipers with the ball and bat to cruise to a massive nine-wicket win in the final group game of the DP World ILT20 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Qais Ahmad was incredible for the Capitals as he finished with a stunning spell of 4 for 25, while Gulbadin Naib lived up to his billing as one of the best allrounders by striking a brilliant unbeaten 55. The win caps an impressive turnaround for the Capitals, who began their campaign with just one win in four games but then regrouped to win four of their last five matches to finish second on the points table.
The Dubai Capitals will now take on the same opponents, the Desert Vipers, in Qualifier 1 on February 5, while MI Emirates will face Sharjah Warriorz in the Eliminator on February 6 with the winner facing the loser of Qualifier 1 for a place in the final on February 7.
Chasing 138, Adam Rossington and Shai Hope took the fight to the Vipers from the first over with some aggressive batting. The duo put up 34 runs in the first four overs, with Rossington smashing 20 runs in just 15 deliveries. His blitzkrieg came to an end after he hit David Payne for a maximum, but the Englishman had him caught behind the very next delivery. Naib came to bat at one-down and made his intentions clear right away by clobbering Sam Curran for a superb four as the Capitals amassed 50/1 at the end of the powerplay. Wanindu Hasaranga threatened to stall the Capitals’ progress by conceding just six runs in his next two overs, but the batters found the boundaries when they needed them the most to coast to 76/1 at the end of 10 overs.
Naib flexed his muscles as he hit Tanveer for a maximum over deep midwicket to bring up his 50 off just 29 deliveries. The Vipers’ poor fielding continued as Naib was dropped, again, on the next ball. Soon after, Hope played a fine pull shot to bring up his fourth 50 of the tournament to lead the Capitals to a commanding nine-wicket victory.
Earlier, the Dubai Capitals put up a scintillating bowling display to bowl out the Desert Vipers for 137. Obed McCoy was on the money as he struck off his first ball when Azam Khan edged it to Naib in the slips. Alex Hales threatened to get going but McCoy outfoxed him with a slower one and the Vipers were down to 39/2 in five overs. Curran joined Dan Lawrence, and the two of them offered their side some much-needed solidity with a crucial 45-run partnership.
The Vipers were down to 104/7, and the runs dried up. Ali Naseer made a quick departure and the Vipers managed only 21 runs off the final four overs before being bowled out for a modest total of 137. The Vipers lost their final seven wickets for 36 runs.
Brief scores:
Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by nine wickets
Desert Vipers: 137/10 in 19.4 overs (Dan Lawrence 44, Sam Curran 28, Alex Hales 18, Qais Ahmad 4 for 25, Obed McCoy 3 for 22)
Dubai Capitals: 138/1 in 17.1 overs (Gulbadin Naib 55 not out, Shai Hope 52 not out, Adam Rossington 27, David Payne 1 for 29)
Player of the Match: Qais Ahmed