In a heart-stopping showdown at the Dubai International Stadium, the Dubai Capitals showcased their grit and determination, clinching a dramatic five-wicket victory over Desert Vipers to secure a spot in the DP World ILT20 Season 3 Final. This epic win marked not only the second-highest run chase in T20 history at the venue but also our fifth consecutive triumph over the Vipers, reinforcing our dominance.
After losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early, the Vipers roared back with a 98-run partnership between Alex Hales (67 off 32) and Max Holden (36). Hales was in destructive form, bringing up his fifty in just 28 balls. But the Capitals' bowlers staged a stunning comeback.
Our spin duo, Haider Ali and Qais Ahmad (2/29), applied the brakes, supported brilliantly by Gulbadin Naib's impactful bowling (2/25). The Vipers, who looked set for a 200+ score, were restricted to 189/7 thanks to disciplined death bowling from Dushmantha Chameera and Naib.
The star of the night was undoubtedly Gulbadin Naib, who delivered an all-round masterclass. Naib smashed his third consecutive half-century against the Vipers, scoring a gritty 62 runs and picking up 2 crucial wickets. His calm demeanor under pressure and clutch performances proved vital as we chased down 190 with just a ball to spare.
Chasing 190 in a high-stakes playoff game is no small feat. Adam Rossington got us off to a flying start, smashing 44 runs off 31 balls, including three crisp boundaries in the fifth over. However, the momentum dipped with the dismissal of Shai Hope (17) and Rossington, leaving us at 67/2.
Enter Naib and skipper Sam Billings. The duo recalibrated the innings with smart cricket, especially Billings, who blazed his way to 38 off just 16 balls, attacking Mohammad Amir and Wanindu Hasaranga with fearless strokes. A run-out ended his fiery knock, but the Capitals kept the scoreboard ticking.
With 52 runs needed off 30 balls, Naib found found the support of Rovman Powell (20), pushing us closer to the target. The final over demanded 12 runs. Naib's resilience shone through as he squeezed crucial boundaries before departing with scores tied. The finishing touch came from Sikandar Raza, who coolly struck the winning boundary, sending Capitals fans into a frenzy.
Player of the Match - Gulbadin Naib:
"Pressure games are my favorite. I reminded myself of past performances and stayed calm. Batting at No. 3 feels lucky, but I'm ready to play anywhere. The team effort made this win special."
Captain Sam Billings:"What a game! Credit to the entire squad for fighting till the last ball. Naib was outstanding, and everyone contributed when it mattered most. One more game to go, and we're ready for the Final."
