Dubai Capitals Crowned ILT20 Champions After Powell, Raza’s Heroics in Chase

Published on: February 10, 2025

Dubai Capitals Crowned ILT20 Champions After Powell, Raza’s Heroics in Chase

Powell, Raza Lead Dubai Capitals to Maiden ILT20 Title in Thrilling Chase

Dubai Capitals scripted a remarkable comeback to secure their first-ever ILT20 title, overcoming Desert Vipers in a high-stakes final. Despite early setbacks, Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza played crucial roles in steering Capitals to a four-wicket victory in a tense chase of 190.

Vipers Set a Competitive Target with Holden and Curran’s Fifties

Desert Vipers, after being put in to bat, posted a strong total of 189 for 5, thanks to impressive half-centuries from Max Holden (76) and Sam Curran (62)*, along with a fiery cameo from Azam Khan (27 off 13).

McCoy Strikes Early to Give Capitals the Perfect Start

Dubai Capitals got off to a dream start after winning the toss. Left-arm pacer Obed McCoy struck with his very first ball, dismissing the dangerous Alex Hales. Hales attempted to flick a delivery to midwicket but ended up giving a simple catch to Haider Ali, who completed a smart diving effort.

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The early breakthrough put Vipers on the back foot, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked to counterattack. However, he was given an early lifeline when Scott Kuggeleijn dropped him at deep point off Farhan Khan’s bowling.

Holden Leads Vipers’ Recovery with an Aggressive Fifty

With early wickets falling, Vipers needed someone to anchor the innings, and Max Holden stepped up brilliantly. The left-hander wasted no time, taking on McCoy and smashing two boundaries in his first five deliveries.

By the time the powerplay ended, Holden had raced to 22 off 13 balls, keeping Vipers on track at 53 for 2. He continued his attacking approach, bringing up a 32-ball half-century in the eighth over, lofting Sikandar Raza back over his head for a four.

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However, he had a close call on the very next ball when an attempted straight drive almost led to his dismissal. Powell, running in from long-on, dropped the catch, giving Holden another chance to continue his aggressive knock.

While Holden held one end, Dan Lawrence struggled to find momentum at the other. He managed just 10 runs in a 41-run stand, eventually holing out to deep cover off Haider Ali’s bowling.

Capitals Slow Things Down but Vipers Finish Strong

After Lawrence’s departure, Capitals tightened their grip, keeping the scoring rate in check. Their disciplined bowling forced Holden into an uncharacteristic shot, resulting in his dismissal. He holed out to long-on off Raza, departing after a well-made 76 off 43 balls.

With wickets falling, Vipers looked in danger of posting an underwhelming total, but Sam Curran and Azam Khan turned the tide with a late assault.

Curran and Azam’s Late Blitz Propels Vipers to 189

Explosive 67-Run Partnership in Just 29 Balls

Just when it seemed that Vipers might struggle to reach 180, Sam Curran and Azam Khan produced an exhilarating 67-run stand off just 29 balls.

Azam, playing with his natural attacking intent, made an instant impact. Facing his very first ball, he clipped it fine for a boundary down the leg side before launching a massive six over long-off in the same over.

Curran also joined the carnage, particularly punishing McCoy in the 18th over. He hit back-to-back boundaries on either side of point before finding another four past fine leg.

Curran’s 117-Metre Six Lights Up the Final

Kuggeleijn, who had an expensive night, came on to bowl the penultimate over, only to be greeted with a gigantic 117-metre six over midwicket from Curran. It was the biggest six of the tournament, and Curran followed it up by bringing up his 28-ball fifty with another boundary.

To make matters worse for Capitals, Kuggeleijn dropped Azam off the final ball of the over, allowing Vipers to push past 185.

Azam capitalized on that mistake, smashing another boundary, but unfortunately, his innings wouldn’t be the moment he would remember from this final.

Capitals’ Chase Starts on a Wobbly Note

Chasing 190 in a high-pressure final, Capitals were in early trouble at 31 for 3 in the fifth over.

Warner Falls Early, Amir Strikes TwiceThe first blow came when David Warner chopped on off David Payne, departing for a low score. Mohammad Amir then made an immediate impact, removing both Gulbadin Naib and Sam Billings in quick succession.

Billings, in particular, was lucky to survive an earlier chance, having been dropped off Amir three balls before his dismissal. However, Amir got his man soon after, leaving Capitals in deep trouble.

Turning Point: Powell’s Lucky Escape

At 46 for 4, the game was firmly in Vipers’ control. But a crucial wicketkeeping error proved to be the game-changing moment.

Nathan Sowter thought he had Rovman Powell stumped down the leg side, but upon review, the third umpire noticed that Azam Khan had brought his gloves in front of the stumps before collecting the ball, resulting in a no-ball.

At that time, Powell was struggling at 2 off 6 balls. But once he got his second chance, he turned the game on its head.

Powell Takes Charge with an Explosive Knock

Given a lifeline, Powell wasted no time switching gears. He immediately launched Sowter for a six and then took on Sam Curran, hammering 15 off the 16 runs conceded in Curran’s next over, including two fours and a six.

Shai Hope also joined the attack, smashing Sowter for a six, as Capitals racked up 21 runs in two overs, shifting the momentum in their favor.

Even though Curran dismissed Hope, Powell ensured the Capitals stayed ahead. He found an able partner in Dasun Shanaka, who played an impactful cameo of 21 off 10 balls to further tilt the game.

Raza Applies the Finishing Touches

With 38 needed off 19 balls, the chase was still in the balance. But Sikandar Raza ensured Capitals crossed the finish line.

Raza and Powell found key boundaries in the 18th over, keeping the required rate manageable. However, Powell finally perished when he was caught at backward point off Sowter, having made a game-changing 63 off 38 balls.

Even after Powell’s dismissal, Raza kept his cool, taking the game deep. He hit three fours in four balls in the penultimate over, leaving just nine runs required off the final over.

Raza then sealed the victory in emphatic style, smashing Khuzaima Tanveer for a six and a four off the first two balls of the last over, ensuring Capitals clinched their maiden ILT20 title without any further drama.

Conclusion: A Historic Triumph for Dubai Capitals

Dubai Capitals’ four-wicket victory over Desert Vipers marked their first-ever ILT20 championship, capping off a dominant season in which they defeated Vipers four times.

The match will be remembered for Powell’s game-changing knock, Raza’s finishing prowess, and the turning point involving Azam Khan’s wicketkeeping blunder.

While Vipers fought valiantly with Holden’s brilliant 76 and Curran’s all-round show, they ultimately fell short as Capitals produced a champion’s performance when it mattered most.