Match Center

Right then, that will be it from this contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. Switch your tabs and follow all the action from the second contest of the day between the Sharjah Warriorz and the Gulf Giants from the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah at 7.30 pm IST (2.00 pm GMT). But as you know, you can always join early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!

GULBADIN NAIB IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH FOR HIS BLISTERING KNOCK. He says that 200 is never easy to chase and that he was just waiting for the right and loose balls. Adds that T20 cricket is all about entertainment. Mentions that he and Shai Hope were constantly talking to each other and trying to seize the momentum. Shares that he is happy to bat and any position and contribute to the team and is prepared for every situation. Ends by dedicating his award to Raza Ali, a legendary bodybuilder.

Sikandar Raza, the skipper of Dubai Capitals is up for a chat. He says that he has got a scan on the injury but is hand is quite sore. Adds that he is happy with the record chase as they did a lot of things right on the field. Mentions that the last five overs in the Knight Riders' innings shifted the momentum in their favor. Lauds Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib for their batting and Dushmantha Chameera with the ball who did well at the backend to close out the innings on a high. Ends by sharing that they need to pick up things at the right time and move forward.

Sunil Narine, the captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders shares that they have been bowling well but the batting stepped up today and credits the Capitals who chased down this score. Adds that Charith Asalanka played a brilliant role and having a left-hander gave them the advantage. Mentions that it was a good pitch but they lacked the execution. Ends by adding that they are not dwelling too much into the loss as it was a close game but wants to improve on the small areas and bounce back strong.

Time for the post-match presentation...

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will be disappointed with the loss after making over 200 runs with the bat. The bowlers were largely ineffective on this belter of a pitch and failed to create timely breakthroughs. Andre Russell and Jason Holder got one apiece but were on the expensive side with Sunil Narine being the only bowler to concede under eight runs to the over. Earlier today, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders batted first and posted a huge score of 203/4 on the back of a sublime 74 from Charith Asalanka while Kyle Mayers, Andries Gous, and Alishan Sharafu made handy scores through the middle while Sikandar Raza was the stand-out bowler for the Capitals. This result takes the Capitals into the second spot while Knight Riders have dropped to number four in the table after this nail-biting loss.

Phew! What a humdinger we've witnessed at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The Dubai Capitals have nailed down a record score in ILT20 and won by 8 wickets with a ball to spare against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Chasing a mammoth score of 204 for the win, the Capitals started well and added 41 for the opening wicket inside five overs to set the base for the chase. The wicket of Adam Rossington brought Gulbadin Naib to the crease who struggled early on but made up for the lost balls with a blistering knock of 80 off just 47 balls that proved to be a game-changer. He added a mammoth 135-run stand with Shai Hope in 13 overs which was enough for the Capitals. Shai Hope carried on his good form and anchored the chase with a sublime 74 off 53 while Dasun Shanaka smoked a quick-fire 17 off 8 balls to make it a hat-trick of wins for the Capitals.

FOUR! SHAI HOPE SEALS THE RECORD WIN FOR THE DUBAI CAPITALS! This was short of a length, angled into the middle. Hope picks the length and nails the pull to deep backward square leg for a boundary to close the game. The Capitals win by 8 wickets with a ball to spare.

BYE! Full-length ball outside off. Shanaka plays and misses. The batters sneak a quick bye. Scores level now.

Wide yorker from Holder, and Hope squeezes this to deep backward point for a single. 2 needed off 3 balls.

FOUR! UP AND OVER! Hope finally connects and gets the boundary. This was full, around off and in the slot. Hope lofts it over extra cover and finds the ropes in a flash. Just three needed off four balls now.

A precious dot to start the over. Pitched full, outside off. Hope plays and misses.

Dasun Shanaka has come in and changed the equation in favor of the Dubai Capitals. They need 7 off the final over. Jason Holder has the task to defend it.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Shanaka flicks this to the deep mid-wicket region for a couple to end the over. 19 runs coming off the over and the Dubai Capitals are just 7 away from a famous win.

SIX! SLAMMED! Back of a length delivery outside off. Shanaka makes room and slashes hard. Flies over the deep point fence for half a dozen. 9 needed off 7 balls now.

FOUR MORE! Smart batting from Shanaka! On a length, around off. Shanaka shuffles across and ramps it over the keeper for a cheeky boundary.

FOUR! Nice and Effective! Low full toss on the middle and leg. Shanaka shuffles and scoops this to fine leg for four runs.