The Dubai Capitals put on a clinical display of all-round cricket to eliminate the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by a massive 85 runs in the Eliminator of the DP World ILT20 season 2. With this dominant victory, the Capitals have booked their place in the Qualifier 2, keeping their title dreams alive.
Capitals Bat First, Post Competitive Total:
Batting first after losing the toss, the Capitals amassed a competitive 188 runs on the board thanks to valuable contributions from several batsmen. Opener Tom Banton (44) and Tom Abell (41) laid a solid foundation with a 63-run partnership. Skipper Sam Billings (46*) provided a late flourish with a quickfire knock, while Sikandar Raza chipped in with a breezy 40.
Knight Riders Falter in Chase:
Chasing a challenging target, the Knight Riders never really got going and were bundled out for a paltry 103 runs. Openers Jason Roy and Michael Pepper fell cheaply, and the middle order crumbled against disciplined bowling from Scott Kuggeleijn (4/17), Zahir Khan (2/25), and Sikandar Raza (2/27).
Sikandar Raza Bags Player of the Match Award:
Sikandar Raza, who starred with both bat and ball, was adjudged the Player of the Match. He expressed his delight at receiving the award and highlighted the importance of adapting to different roles within the team.
Capitals Skipper Pleased with Performance:
A jubilant Sam Billings, the Capitals skipper, praised his team’s performance, especially the bowling attack. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to go all the way in the tournament.
Knight Riders Captain Reflects on Defeat:
Despite the loss, Knight Riders captain Sunil Narine remained positive. He acknowledged the importance of the powerplay and admitted that losing early wickets put his team on the back foot. He also highlighted the positives from the tournament and the team’s strong bonding.
Brief scores as Dubai Capitals dominate:
Dubai Capitals 188 for 5 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 44, Tom Abell 41, Sam Billings 46n.o, Sikandar Raza 40, Sabir Ali 2 for 35) Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 103 in 16.5 overs (Sam Hain 29, David Willey 36, Scott Kuggeleijn 4 for 17, Zahir Khan 2 for 25, Sikandar Raza 2 for 27).
Result: Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 85 runs.
Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza
This comprehensive victory has propelled the Dubai Capitals into Qualifier 2, where they will face a stiff challenge to reach the final. The Knight Riders, on the other hand, will head back home with their heads held high after a decent campaign.
