ABU DHABI: Dubai Capitals strengthened their push for a top-two finish in the International League T20 with a composed six-wicket victory over Gulf Giants at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday, condemning the Giants to a fourth successive defeat.
A decisive all-round display, led by Mustafizur Rahman’s devastating spell with the ball and calm contributions from Shayan Jahangir and Rovman Powell in the chase, saw the Capitals climb to second in the points table.
Rahman turned the match on its head in the 14th over, claiming three wickets in quick succession to derail the Giants’ innings. Although James Vince (36 off 34 balls) and Azmatullah Omarzai (43 off 26) had looked threatening during the middle overs, the left-arm pacer’s intervention reduced the Giants from a position of promise to eventual collapse, as they were bowled out for 156.
In reply, Jahangir anchored the chase with a measured 48 from 44 deliveries, providing stability after an initially brisk start. Powell then finished the job with an unbeaten 47 off 31 balls, striking one four and three sixes to guide the Capitals home with an over to spare.
The Capitals began cautiously, with Jahangir lifting the tempo through early boundaries as they reached 33 without loss after four overs. The momentum briefly swung back in the fifth over when Omarzai removed Sediqullah Atal and Jordan Cox, leaving the Capitals 42 for two at the end of the powerplay.
With the Giants’ spinners tightening the screw, runs were hard to come by through the middle phase. Jahangir held the innings together, finding support from Leus du Plooy (22 off 15), before Fred Klaassen bowled him just as the partnership began to build. At halfway, the Capitals were 68 for three, requiring 89 from the final 10 overs.
Jahangir’s dismissal in the 15th over briefly threatened to stall the chase, but Powell ensured there was no panic, pacing his innings expertly. Mohammad Nabi then applied the finishing touches, scoring an unbeaten 25 off 14 balls, levelling the scores with a four before sealing victory with a six in the final over.
The Giants had earlier made a flying start through Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struck 25 from 11 balls, as his side surged to 39 without loss after three overs. Haider Ali halted the momentum by removing Gurbaz in the fourth over and later dismissed Lorcan Tucker, while Nabi accounted for Moeen Ali as the Giants reached 53 for three at the end of the powerplay.
Vince and Omarzai then combined to steady the innings, adding 66 runs in 46 balls to push the Giants beyond the halfway mark. However, Rahman’s return proved decisive as he removed Vince, Omarzai and Sean Dickson in a dramatic 14th over, exposing the lower order.
Kyle Mayers (24 off 20) and Mark Adair (12 off 12) attempted a late rally, but confusion between the wickets proved costly. A remarkable final over saw a hat-trick of run-outs as the Giants collapsed from 152 for seven to be dismissed for 156.
Capitals’ stand-in captain Nabi praised his side’s collective effort, saying: “It was a complete team performance. They started strongly, but Mustafizur’s over changed the game. Haider was excellent in the powerplay and Fizz really shifted the momentum. Rovman paced the chase superbly and made sure we stayed in control.”
Giants’ skipper Vince admitted his side’s struggles had continued, adding: “It’s been a familiar pattern. We get into good positions but lose two or three wickets quickly when one falls. That puts pressure on the rest of the batters and makes it difficult to finish the innings strongly.”
