Match Center

Right then, that is it from this game but the 2024 edition of ILT20 has just begun and next up is the first doubleheader on Sunday, 21 January. The first game will be played between last year's runners-up Desert Vipers and they will take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai and that game will begin at 4 pm IST (10.30 am GMT). This will be followed by a contest between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants in Abu Dhabi at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). Our build-up to both of those games will begin a lot sooner, so, you can join us then. Cheers!

Sikandar Raza is the Player of the Match for his game-changing performance with the ball. Raza says that the it was one of those games where the opposition started well in the powerplay. Adds that the wicket was slow and he we had to play smart cricket. Shares that he tries to change his variations to keep the batters guessing. Closes by saying that faith keeps him going to bear the rough days.

Dubai Capitals skipper, David Warner says that he really enjoys the leadership role and it helps to have an enthusiastic bunch of guys. Adds that he is open to ideas throughout the game and the bench is crucial as they get to see the whole game and he takes advice from the senior players about the small things and changes that need to be made. Mentions that they had to bowl Sikandar Raza at the time he bowled and he started off well against Nicholas Pooran and fortunately one turned. On facing Trent Boult, he says that it was good and mentions that he has had a good time aginst Boult but it was surprising to see the ball swing that much over here. On Jake Fraser-McGurk and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, he says that they are two clear-minded individuals with bundles of talent and it is amazing to watch them do well.

Nicholas Pooran, the captain of MI Emirates says that they kept losing wickets after a terrific start. Adds that they had to consolidate and says they weren’t good enough. Mentions that it was a good ball from Sikandar Raza that got him out, so they need to accept that and move on. Shares that they knew that batting first was going to be tricky and they fell short by 30-40 runs at the end. Closes by saying that the dew came in and it was the end of the game for them.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Dubai Capitals won the toss and David Warner opted to chase on a ground where chasing is always a plus and his side got an early wicket as well. Then came the counter-attack from Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher and it looked like MI Emirates would really push 200 but things went downhill for them in the second half of their innings. Sikandar Raza came in and bowled brilliantly picking up three wickets and completely bogged the opposition down. The others chipped in as well and even though Jason Holder got hit away at the death, he too got 3 wickets. Coming to the chase, the score to gun down wasn't a big one and Dubai Capitals seemed in complete control of proceedings before strolling away to the win.

MI Emirates will be very disappointed with that effort as they were under par with both bat and ball and given the individual talent in the side, they couldn't perform well as a team in this game. Trent Boult gave them a perfect start but Fazalhaq Farooqi and Akeal Hosein were off-color from the other end and the bowlers that came in couldn't create wicket-taking opportunities either. Boult came back in to break the frustrating stand as well but by then the game was long gone. Fazalhaq Farooqi also picked up a late wicket but it was a flat display overall in the field after that slump with the bat and they need to pick themselves up quickly as they play again in less than 24 hours.

A very dominating performance from Dubai Capitals and they have rampaged to a win against MI Emirates to get their campaign underway. After having restricted MI to just 159 runs when it looked like they would get to at least 180, the Capitals lost their talismanic skipper David Warner early on. This, however, proved to be a small blemish in what turned out to be a stellar showing from two young and exciting batters. The pair of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Rahmanullah Gurbaz went after the MI bowlers and put on 114 big runs to set up the win. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored a quick 50 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 81 runs before getting out. Former skipper, Rovman Powell and Sam Billings added the finishing touches.

WIDE! GAME OVER! Lands it on a length and down the leg. Billings plays and misses. The umpire calls it a wide and the Dubai Capitals win by 7 wickets with four overs to spare in a thumping display by the David Warner-led side. Hold on, there's a review as Dwayne Bravo asks Nicholas Pooran to go upstairs and the third umpire is called in. The review is for caught behind but UltraEdge clearly indicates that there's no bat on it and the ball missed the pads as well.

Strategic break! The mandatory second time-out is taken as MI Emirates are on the brink of defeat with the Capitals needing only 1 run from four overs. After Gurbaz and Fraser-McGurk set the chase with a sizzling batting display, Billings and Powell are taking no risks to score the remaining runs.

Short of a length, angling down. Billings pulls it along the carpet to short fine leg for one.

Length delivery on the middle, Powell gets squared and edges it along the turf to short third for one.

Pitched up on middle and leg. Billings works it to mid-wicket for one.

Slower bumper angling across. Billings lets it go through.

Slower ball on a length at the pads. Billings closes the bat face and turns it through mid-wicket with soft hands for a double. Just 4 to win now!

Pitched up full on the pad, worked through square leg for a single.