Dubai Capitals clinch important six-wicket victory over Gulf Giants

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Dubai Capitals produced a clinical all-round performance to defeat the Gulf Giants by six wickets at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday, climbing to second place in the International League T20 standings and condemning the Giants to a fourth straight loss.

The match turned on a sensational 14th over from left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, whose three-wicket burst shattered the Giants’ middle order, before a flurry of three run-outs in the final over encapsulated a disastrous finish for James Vince’s side, bowled out for 156.

Chasing a modest target, the Capitals were guided by a composed 48 from opener Shayan Jahangir and a powerful unbeaten 47 from Rovman Powell, with captain Mohammad Nabi providing the finishing flourish—striking a four to level the scores and a six to seal victory with four balls remaining.

The Giants began explosively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz racing to 25 off 11 balls, but lost three quick wickets in the powerplay, including Moeen Ali, to slump to 53/3. Skipper James Vince (36 off 34) and Azmatullah Omarzai (43 off 26) then rebuilt with a 66-run stand, taking the score to 110/3 by the 14th over.

Shayan-Jahangir-of-Dubai-Capitals-plays-a-shot-during-Match-23-of-the-DP-World-ILT20-between-the-Gulf-Giants-and-the-Dubai-Capitals — Shayan Jahangir of Dubai Capitals plays a shot during Match 23 of the DP World ILT20 between the Gulf Giants and the Dubai Capitals. *(Image Credit: Supplied)*

Enter Mustafizur Rahman. The Bangladeshi seamer removed Vince, Omarzai and Sean Dickson in a single over, triggering a collapse from which the Giants never recovered. Late resistance from Kyle Mayers (24) took the total to 152/7, but a chaotic final over saw three run-outs—a hat-trick of suicidal miscommunications—as the innings ended at 156.

Jahangir provided early momentum, but the Giants struck back through Omarzai’s double-wicket over. Spinners then tightened the screws, and Jahangir’s dismissal at 48 briefly checked progress. However, Powell, initially watchful, accelerated brilliantly alongside Nabi (25* off 14). The pair added 58* in 31 balls, with Nabi ending the contest emphatically in the final over.

Rovman-Powell-of-Dubai-Capitals-plays-a-shot-during-Match-23-of-the-DP-World-ILT20-between-the-Gulf-Giants-and-the-Dubai-Capitals — Rovman Powell of Dubai Capitals plays a shot during Match 23 of the DP World ILT20 between the Gulf Giants and the Dubai Capitals. *(Image Credit: Supplied)*

Stand-in Capitals skipper Mohammad Nabi hailed a “complete team effort,” highlighting Mustafizur’s over as the turning point. “Fizz really changed the game,” he said. Giants captain James Vince rued another familiar collapse. “We get into a good position, then lose wickets in clusters. It’s been the pattern in our last few games.”

BRIEF SCORES
Gulf Giants 156 all out in 19.5 overs (Omarzai 43, Vince 36; Mustafizur 3/34, Haider Ali 2/24)
Dubai Capitals 162/4 in 19.2 overs (Jahangir 48, Powell 47, Nabi 25; Omarzai 2/27)
Result: Dubai Capitals won by 6 wickets

Player of the Match: Mustafizur Rahman (Dubai Capitals)