In a thrilling conclusion to the DP World ILT20 2025 season, the Dubai Capitals clinched their maiden title with a dramatic four-wicket victory over the Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 9, 2025. Chasing a formidable target of 190, the Capitals displayed resilience and strategic brilliance to emerge victorious in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Desert Vipers Set a Challenging Target
Winning the toss, the Desert Vipers elected to bat, aiming to leverage the batting-friendly conditions. However, their innings faced an early setback when Obed McCoy dismissed the dangerous Alex Hales with his first delivery, courtesy of a sharp catch by Haider Ali at midwicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz attempted to stabilize the innings but fell for 22, leaving the Vipers at 53 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.
Max Holden emerged as the linchpin for the Vipers, crafting a well-paced 76 off 51 balls. His innings, punctuated by boundaries and intelligent strike rotation, provided the backbone of the Vipers’ total. Holden received support from Sam Curran, who delivered a late onslaught, scoring an unbeaten 62 off just 33 deliveries. Curran’s aggressive approach in the death overs, including a towering 117-meter six over midwicket, propelled the Vipers to a competitive total of 189 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
“We felt confident about our total,” said Curran. “It was a competitive score, but credit to Dubai Capitals for their fightback.”
Capitals’ Rocky Start
The Capitals’ chase began on a precarious note. David Warner was the first to depart, chopping onto his stumps off David Payne’s delivery. Mohammad Amir then struck twice in quick succession, removing Gulbadin Naib and captain Sam Billings, leaving the Capitals teetering at 31 for 3 within the first five overs.
Powell and Hope Steady the Ship
Facing a daunting situation, Rovman Powell and Shai Hope joined forces to orchestrate a remarkable recovery. Hope played a composed innings, accumulating 43 runs off 39 balls, while Powell unleashed a counter-attacking display. Their partnership added 80 crucial runs, shifting the momentum in favour of the Capitals. Powell’s aggressive approach was evident as he reached his half-century in just 30 balls, featuring a blend of powerful strokes and calculated risks.
Turning Point: Powell’s Reprieve
A pivotal moment occurred when Powell, on 2 off 6 balls, was stumped off Nathan Sowter. However, the third umpire declared it a no-ball, citing wicketkeeper Azam Khan’s gloves being positioned ahead of the stumps. Seizing the lifeline, Powell capitalised on the opportunity, accelerating the scoring rate, and bringing the Capitals back into contention.
Late Drama and Raza’s Heroics
As the match approached its climax, the Capitals required 65 runs from the final five overs. Powell and Dasun Shanaka contributed valuable runs before both were dismissed, leaving the team needing 38 from 19 balls. Enter Sikandar Raza, who played a match-winning cameo, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 14 balls. His quickfire innings ensured the Capitals reached the target with just two balls to spare, sparking jubilant celebrations among the players and fans alike.
How the Other Teams Fared in the Tournament
Beyond the finalists, the tournament featured six teams battling for supremacy. Here is a summary of how each team performed:
- Desert Vipers – Finished at the top of the league standings with 14 points from 10 matches. Despite strong performances, they fell short in the final.
- Dubai Capitals – Secured second place in the league stage with 12 points before clinching their maiden ILT20 title.
- MI Emirates – Finished third with 10 points, powered by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 21 wickets, the most in the tournament.
- Sharjah Warriorz – Secured fourth place with 10 points. They won the Eliminator but were knocked out in Qualifier 2.
- Gulf Giants – Finished fifth with 8 points, managing four wins but missing out on the playoffs.
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – Ended at the bottom with 6 points, winning three matches but failing to qualify for the playoffs.
The 2025 ILT20 season was marked by competitive spirit and individual brilliance, setting a high standard for future tournaments.
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