News by “Sana Ullah”
Abu Dhabi, 13 February 2024: In a commanding display, the Dubai Capitals secured an emphatic victory, eliminating the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by an impressive margin of 85 runs in the Eliminator of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The Capitals’ triumph was orchestrated through invaluable contributions with the bat, as opener Tom Banton set the tone with a brisk 44 off 31 balls, complemented by Tom Abell’s solid 41 off 29 deliveries and skipper Sam Billings’ unbeaten 46 off 26 balls. Sikandar Raza’s aggressive 40 off 19 balls further propelled the Capitals to a formidable total of 188 for 5.
In response, the Knight Riders faltered in their chase, succumbing to the brilliance of the Capitals’ bowling unit. Scott Kuggeleijn led the charge with a remarkable spell of 4 for 17, ably supported by Zahir Khan (2 for 25) and Sikandar Raza (2 for 27), as the Knight Riders were bundled out for a mere 103 runs.
The Knight Riders’ innings began on a sour note, losing wickets at regular intervals, with opener Jason Roy departing for a duck in the very first over. Despite efforts from Sam Hain and David Willey, who scored 29 and 36 respectively, the Knight Riders failed to mount a substantial partnership, ultimately falling short against the Capitals’ dominant performance.
Earlier, opting to bat first, the Capitals got off to a solid start courtesy of Banton and Max Holden. Although Holden departed early, partnerships between Banton and Abell, as well as Billings and Raza, propelled the Capitals to a commanding total.
Sikandar Raza’s stellar all-round performance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award, as he expressed his commitment to contributing whenever called upon.
Skipper Sam Billings expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of getting settled in and the effectiveness of the bowling duo, Kuggeleijn and Stone.
In defeat, Knight Riders’ captain Sunil Narine remained optimistic, acknowledging the challenges faced and the positives taken from the tournament.
In summary, the Dubai Capitals’ dominant display secured their passage to the Qualifier 2, leaving a lasting impression with their clinical performance in the Eliminator.
