Aayal QureshiDubai, UAE – The Dubai Capitals etched their name into DP World ILT20 history on Sunday, clinching their maiden title in a pulsating final against the Desert Vipers. Chasing 190, the Capitals triumphed by four wickets with four balls to spare, overcoming last season’s final heartbreak and claiming the $700,000 prize. The Desert Vipers, runners-up for the second consecutive year, took home $300,000.
Vipers Post Competitive Total Behind Holden-Curran Stand
Opting to bat, the Vipers recovered from early blows as England’s Max Holden (76 off 51 balls) anchored the innings after openers Alex Hales and Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell cheaply to Obed McCoy (2/44). Holden’s sublime knock, featuring nine fours and two sixes, included a reprieve on 51 when Rovman Powell dropped him at long-off. Sam Curran (62* off 33) then took charge, partnering with Azam Khan (27 off 13) for a fiery 67-run stand in 29 balls. The Vipers finished at 189/5, with Curran’s unbeaten fifty—laced with five fours and three sixes—propelling them late.
Capitals’ Gritty Chase Anchored by Powell, Sealed by Raza
In reply, the Capitals stumbled early as David Warner (2nd over) and Gulbadin Naib (4th over) fell to David Payne and Mohammad Amir. At 39/3 in the powerplay, Shai Hope (43 off 35) and Powell (63 off 38) rebuilt with an 80-run partnership. Powell, surviving a stumping off a no-ball on 2, capitalized with sixes, while Hope accelerated with a six off Nathan Sowter.
Needing 65 off 30 balls, Dasun Shanaka (21 off 10) smashed Curran for a six before holing out in the 17th over. Powell’s dismissal in the 18th over left the Capitals at 158/6, but Sikandar Raza (34* off 12) delivered a match-winning blitz. He hammered three fours off Amir in the 19th over and sealed the win with a six and four in the final over, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Post-Match Reactions
Player of the Match Rovman Powell praised his team’s composure: “Big players stand up in finals. I’m disappointed to get out, but glad we crossed the line.”
Sam Curran, awarded the Red Belt for MVP (387 runs, 7 wickets), lauded his team: “Proud of our fight. The Capitals were clinical, but we’ll come back stronger.”
Award Winners
- Green Belt (Best Batter): Shai Hope (529 runs)
- White Belt (Best Bowler): Fazalhaq Farooqi (21 wickets)
- Blue Belt (Best UAE Player): Muhammad Waseem
Brief Scores
Desert Vipers 189/5 in 20 overs (Holden 76, Curran 62*; McCoy 2/44)
*Dubai Capitals* 191/6 in 19.2 overs (Powell 63, Hope 43, Raza 34*; Payne 2/28)
The victory marked the Capitals’ sixth consecutive win over the Vipers, capping a season of redemption and cementing their place as ILT20 champions.
