Win Projections to be updated soon
Match 16, , January 23, 2025, 08:00 PM
Gulf Giants
153/5(20.0ov)
Dubai Capitals
154/5(18.4ov)
Dubai Capitals beat Gulf Giants by 5 wickets
DC 100%
Tie 0%
GG 0%
Right then, that will be it from this contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. Do join us on Friday, 24 January for Match 17 in the ILT20, 2025 where Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will take on MI Emirates at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. That game will start at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). But as you know, you can always join early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!
Shai Hope is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his anchoring knock and brilliance behind the stumps. On the Vince catch, he says that it was one that you just want to get your hand to and it sticks. Adds that he is just trying to grow and adapt quickly to different conditions and the way it's coming off feels pretty nice.
Dubai Capitals skipper, Sikandar Raza says that to get through you need to win the home games, and trying to win a couple of games on the road is a good idea. Adds that he felt there wasn't much turn in the deck and thought that the target was a bit below par and was confident of chasing it down. Mentions that Shai Hope batted beautifully again and the way @dasu came in and got those boundaries away is what he and Shanaka are in the team for. Reckons that they still need to improve with the ball and hardly bowled extra with the ball and just need a bit of energy in the field.
James Vince, the captain of Gulf Giants says that Dasun Shanaka was the only player to strike the ball the way he did and it came at the wrong time for them. Adds that they bowled and fielded well but Gerhard Erasmus one of their better fielders misjudged the catch at a crucial juncture and that cost them the game. Adds that Jordan Cox batted really well and reckons a few key moments in the game haven't gone their way and they need to get on a bit of a winning run to get back in the tournament.
The Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Sikandar Raza put Gulf Giants into bat first but after an early wicket picked up by Obed McCoy, the Capitals weren't able to make much inroads in the Powerplay. However, a fine catch from Shai Hope behind the stumps to dismiss James Vince galvanized the bowling side. Jordan Cox though played a fabulous knock with 70 runs and was well-supported by Gerhard Erasmus and that allowed the Giants to surpass the 150-run mark. In reply, it was a topsy-turvy chase but in the end, Dasun Shanaka's fiery cameo was the deciding factor.
Gulf Giants will feel, they really had a chance to snatch victory here, especially once Shai Hope got out but they have been stunned here and a fourth loss in five matches means they stay rooted to the foot of the points table. It was a good bowling performance in the first 10 overs as they kept the scoring rate to a minimum and picked up a few wickets as well. Aayan Khan once again starred as he picked up a couple of wickets and remained economical but the likes of Blessing Muzarabani and then Dominic Drakes were taken apart by Shanaka at the death and that has cost them dearly.
Chasing 154 on this track wasn't going to be easy and with the average score around 148 on this track in recent times, Dubai Capitals needed a fast start with the bat. Ben Dunk and Shai Hope started well but after the first couple of overs, they simply failed to time the ball well. Soon enough, the wickets started to fall and the opposition spinners came into play as well. Hope held up one end well as the likes of Naib and Zadran came in and picked up a few boundaries but it was then skipper Sikandar Raza who provided the much-needed support to Hope. Hope moved into the 40s but couldn't find his best timing and got out right after the break. Raza though was stroking nicely and then Shanaka just came in and took the bull by its horns. An unbeaten 34 off just 10 balls was more than enough to get the job done for his side.
A flourish of note from Dasun Shanaka and he has made batting look so easy on this surface where almost everyone struggled for timing. All in all, what seemed to be a close contest, even favoring the bowling side for a while, has turned out to be a comfortable victory in the end for the Capitals who have now 3 wins, all at home in Dubai.
In over# 19
1
4
6
6
Dominic Drakes 38/0(3.4)
18.4
1
There it is, Dasun Shanaka hits the winning run and Dubai Capitals pick up back-to-back wins. Banged in short over middle, Shanaka pulls it off the back foot, without much timing and towards deep mid-wicket for a single. The Capitals win by 5 wickets!
18.3
4
FOUR! A bit of finesse now and the scores are level! Full and wide, angling across, Shanaka hangs back and just plays it late, steering it wide of short third for a boundary.
18.2
6
SIX! Shanaka wants to end this one real soon. Drakes pitches it up and angles it well across the off stump, Shanaka sets up deep in the crease and slashes it up and over deep point for a biggie.
18.1
6
SIX! Banged away and Shanaka is in a hurry! Slower one, into the pitch and around off, pShanakaicks up the length early, stays put and pulls it flat over wide long on for a biggie. 250th six in T20 cricket for Shanaka as well.
Dominic Drakes is back in to bowl the penultimate over.
In over# 18
0
1
1
4
2
1
Muhammad Zuhaib 22/1(3)
17.6
.
A decent over from Zuhaib. Dragged length on middle, it is the wrong'un that turns back in, Raza is take aback and fails to get it away. 17 needed now off 12 balls.
17.5
1
Tossed up, full and around off, inviting the big shot, Dasun Shanaka goes hard after it and gets an outside edge to short third for a single.
17.4
1
Another one that is dropped short outside off, Raza rocks back and cuts it through covers for a single.
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