Dubai Capitals moved up to second in the DP World ILT20 table after a six-wicket win over Gulf Giants at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
The game turned in one over. Mustafizur Rahman removed James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai and Sean Dickson in the 14th to swing momentum firmly the Capitals’ way. The Giants, well set at 110 for 3, slid to 116 for 6 and were eventually bowled out for 156.
Vince and Omarzai had earlier rebuilt after a fast start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck 25 from 11 balls before falling in the fourth over, with the Giants reaching 53 for 3 at the powerplay. Vince made 36 from 34 balls and Omarzai added 43 from 26 as they carried the innings through the middle.
Rahman finished with 3 for 34. Haider Ali took two early wickets and Mohammad Nabi removed Moeen Ali as the Capitals kept control. A late push from Kyle Mayers and Mark Adair added some urgency, but a final over that included three run-outs ended the innings on 19.5 overs.
The chase was measured. Shayan Jahangir set the tone with 48 from 44 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving while wickets fell around him. Omarzai struck twice in the powerplay to leave the Capitals 42 for 2, and Fred Klaassen later bowled Leus du Plooy as pressure built.
Rovman Powell anchored the finish. Quiet at first, he grew into the innings and stayed unbeaten on 47 from 31 balls, with three sixes. Nabi sealed the win in the final over, first levelling the scores with a boundary before clearing the ropes to finish on 25 not out.
“It was a complete team effort,” said Capitals stand-in captain Mohammad Nabi. “The turning point was Mustafizur’s over. Rovman paced the chase well and made sure we stayed on track.”
Gulf Giants captain James Vince pointed to familiar problems. “We get into good positions but lose wickets in clusters. That puts pressure on the rest of the order.”
The result leaves Dubai Capitals on eight points, level with MI Emirates, while Gulf Giants slip to their fourth straight defeat and remain fourth.
Brief scores:
- Dubai Capitals beat Gulf Giants by six wickets
- Gulf Giants 156 all out (Omarzai 43, Vince 36; Mustafizur Rahman 3–34)
- Dubai Capitals 162–4 (Jahangir 48, Powell 47*, Nabi 25*)
Player of the match: Mustafizur Rahman
