Aayal QureshiDubai, UAE – The DP World ILT20 Season 3 kicked off with a bang at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The day began with a dazzling display of song and dance and culminated in an edge-of-the-seat thriller as Dubai Capitals clinched a one-run victory against the MI Emirates, marking the narrowest margin in the tournament’s history.
Despite Nicholas Pooran’s impressive half-century of 61 runs in 40 balls for MI Emirates, the disciplined performance by the Capitals’ bowling unit turned the tide. Gulbadin Naib emerged as the hero with figures of 3 for 13, while Olly Stone contributed significantly with 2 for 14.
Earlier in the evening, Fazalhaq Farooqi’s remarkable five-wicket haul (5 for 15) restricted the Capitals to 133/8. Brandon McMullen’s 58 runs in 42 balls and Rovman Powell’s 25 runs provided the Capitals with a fighting chance.
Reflecting on the victory, Player of the Match Gulbadin Naib said, “That is the beauty of cricket and T20. Not a good total on the board, but we defended it, with the guys giving 100 percent. The pitch was helping the bowlers a lot. Not easy for the batters. We just tried to keep it stump to stump, and we did it.”
MI Emirates faced early setbacks with Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher falling for ducks, followed by the dismissals of Tom Banton and Kusal Perera, leaving them reeling at 23/4 in 4.3 overs. Pooran’s efforts kept them in the chase, but crucial wickets by Naib and Stone sealed their fate.
Olly Stone’s disciplined 19th over and Farhan Khan’s final over efforts restricted the Emirates to 132/7, securing a thrilling last-ball victory for the Capitals.
Brief Scores:
Dubai Capitals bt MI Emirates by 1 run. Dubai Capitals 133/8 in 20 overs (Brandon McMullen 58, Rovman Powell 25, Dasun Shanaka 13, Fazalhaq Farooqi 5 for 16, Zahoor Khan 1 for 22, Alzarri Joseph 1 for 29). MI Emirates 132/7 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 61, Akeal Hosein 30, Gulbadin Naib 3 for 13, Olly Stone 2 for 14).
Player of the Match: Gulbadin Naib
Stay tuned for more exhilarating action from the DP World ILT20 Season 3!
