NEW DELHI: The Dubai Capitals scored a spectacular six-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadiumending the Desert Vipers‘ unbeaten run on Monday.
Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan’s three-wicket hauls led a strong bowling effort that held the Vipers to 139. With a scorching 78-run innings off 51 balls, Gulbadin Naib then spearheaded the chase and made sure the Capitals ended a three-match losing streak.
With a scorching opening performance, captain Lockie Ferguson kept the Vipers in the game despite the poor first innings total. Ferguson put the Capitals in difficulty at 17/2 after catching Ben Dunk and Khalid Shah in the second over. Opener Shai Hope was run out for eight runs after a mix-up with Gulbadin Naib in the sixth over, despite the run rate being on target.
The needed run rate was reduced to fewer than six runs per over when Naib, who had also been dropped for two runs earlier in the innings, made amends in the very next over by taking Nathan Sowter out for three sixes. With Sikandar Raza at one end, Naib hammered his way to a half-century of 31 balls, which included three sixes and two fours.
In just 36 balls, the two brought up a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Since the Capitals needed 32 runs in 36 balls at the 14-over stage, they were firmly in control.
In the 15th over, Raza, who had taken few opportunities thus far, was caught for 24 runs in 26 balls off the shorter one from Mohammad Amir. As Naib continued to control the Vipers’ bowling attack, Najibullah Zadran joined him. As the Capitals reached the target in 17.4 overs, Naib hit two more sixes.
The Vipers, who batted first, got off to a quick start and ended the powerplay with 48/1. Before Dushmantha Chameera bowled him in the second over, Fakhar Zaman set the tone early with a six and a four. Alex Hales led the innings from the opposite end, while Dan Lawrence, who came in at number three, mirrored Zaman’s intention.
Nevertheless, despite a 58-run stand between Hales and Lawrence, the Capitals took control in the middle innings. Hales, Lawrence, and Sam Curran were all dismissed in three overs, dealing the Vipers a swift triple blow. In the tenth over, Haider Ali removed Hales for 34, and then Gulbadin Naib stopped Lawrence’s 24-run attempt. The Vipers were then battling at 80/4 in 11.3 overs as Curran was stumped off Sikandar Raza for three runs.
The collapse continued as the Vipers were bowled out for 139 in 20 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga (13) and Azam Khan (10) made brief contributions until both were overtaken by Zahir Khan. In his 27 runs off 24 balls, Sherfane Rutherford gave some hope by hitting three sixes, but Chameera hit for the third time in the penultimate over to put an end to his attack.
Player of the Match, Gulbadin Naib said, “We were at the bottom of the table, so we were looking for momentum. There’s still a long way to go. It’s not easy facing bowlers of this quality. Luckily, I gave myself some time. After the drinks break, the staff told me I was looking good, so I said to Sikandar, I will play to my strengths.”
Desert Vipers captain, Lockie Ferguson said, “It was a tough one. We were probably a few runs short and had some chances. They bowled well, and the pitch spun. There’s a quick turnaround again, but the boys have been batting beautifully.”
