DUBAI: MI Emirates stunned Dubai Capitals with a seven-run victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, defending a modest total of 137 for 8.
Jonny Bairstow’s half-century provided the backbone of the innings alongside impressive performances from Mustafizur Rahman and Muhammad Jawadullah.
In response, Capitals were comfortably placed in the chase before Rashid Khan’s two-wicket haul led the heist for MI Emirates.
The result took MI Emirates to six points and allowed them to replace Capitals in third place on the DP World ILT20 Season 4 points table.
Muhammad Rohid made an early dent in the Capitals lineup with the wicket of Leus De Plooy (4 off 11) but Shayan Jahangir (34 off 27) and Jordan Cox (46 off 41) batted with intent. Jahangir thumped three sixes while Cox also worked three boundaries to post 51 runs in the powerplay.
The pair put the Capitals in control, but a scoring lull following the powerplay forced the wicket of Jahangir, outfoxed by Khan. Rovman Powell (11 off 10) joined Cox as the run-rate declined. The pair had put on a near run-a-ball 25-run stand until Khan had Powell stumped in the 13th over.
Dasun Shanaka (3 off 5) was the next to depart, castled by Kamindu Mendis to leave Capitals at 94 for 4 after 14 overs. Capitals lost a third wicket in the space of six runs when Jimmy Neesham (0 off 3) was run out.
Although the well-settled Cox was still in the middle, the run-rate was climbing, and eventually Capitals needed 30 runs off the final three overs.
In the penultimate over Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Cox and Mohammad Nabi (12 off 13) in the space of three balls to deliver a fatal blow to Capitals’ run chase.
The Capitals lost three more wickets, including a run-out in Romario Shepherd’s final over as they were skittled for 130.
In the first innings, MI Emirates kept wickets intact in the powerplay, but tight new-ball spells from Dubai Capitals limited Muhammad Waseem (17 off 19) and Bairstow (67 off 40) to 40 runs in the opening six overs.
After David Willey scalped Waseem in the seventh over, Bairstow and Nicholas Pooran (8 off 16) combined for a 48-run partnership. Bairstow provided the impetus smashing Nabi for a four and two consecutive sixes on his way to a 30-ball half century, studded with eight fours and three sixes.
Capitals’ Jawadullah was instrumental in shifting momentum, accounting for Pooran and Bairstow in his first two overs, giving away only seven runs and leaving MI Emirates at 99 for 3.
Kieron Pollard (6 off 8) and Mendis (10 off 7) fell in quick succession to Haider Ali and Waqar Salamkheil, before Mustafizur Rahman ripped through the middle and lower order, dismissing Tom Banton (5 off 11), Khan (1 off 3) and AM Ghazanfar (0).
Romario Shepherd (18 off 10) remained unbeaten with a six and a four as the MI Emirates posted 137 for 8.
Player of the Match Khan said: “Happy with the win today. The last game we were close too but happy to finish it today.
“It’s always good to be in a team that has experience. Today was a proper team effort and bowling effort. I think the way we fielded gave us energy today.”
Dubai Capitals captain Shanaka said: “We really bowled well, but a few dropped catches gave them extra runs. The game was totally with us, I think I gave my wicket away, mine and Jimmy Neesham’s were crucial at a point where they needed wickets.”
