ILT20: Pathum Nissanka’s fiery 67 and James Vince’s calm 50 lead Gulf Giants to a thrilling four-wicket win against Dubai Capitals

Pathum Nissanka smashed another blazing half-century to help the Gulf Giants beat the Dubai Capitals by four wickets in ILT20 Season 4 clash at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Nissanka hammered 67 off just 31 balls and shared a crucial 97-run stand with James Vince, who stayed unbeaten on 50 from 45 deliveries, as the Giants chased down 161 and claimed their second straight win. His knock included six fours and five sixes, pushing the Giants to the top of the table.

Earlier in the evening, Azmatullah Omarzai led the way with the ball, taking 3 for 46 and keeping the Capitals to a fighting total. Several of their batters got starts, but it was captain Dasun Shanaka who gave the innings a late push with 23 off 9 balls.

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Gulf Giants off to a poor start

The Giants were off to a poor start, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 9, but the momentum changed quickly. In the fourth over, Nissanka tore into James Neesham, smashing three sixes and a four as the score raced to 60/1 by the end of the powerplay. While Vince held one end with a calmer approach, Nissanka sped to a fifty from 23 balls with clean, powerful hitting.

The Capitals tried clawing back by taking wickets in consecutive overs. Mustafizur Rahman removed Nissanka in the 12th over, and Shanaka dismissed Moeen Ali soon after, leaving the Giants at 112/3. But Omarzai and Tom Moores chipped in with small but important cameos, and Vince guided the chase perfectly, reaching his half-century and sealing the win in the 18.5th over.

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Dubai Capitals batting

Dubai’s innings had earlier shown promise. Omarzai struck early, but Sediqullah Atal (35 off 25) and David Willey (29 off 28) stitched together a 61-run partnership. However, once Sediqullah fell to Moeen Ali in the 10th over, the innings slowed down drastically. Between the 10th and 14th overs, the Capitals managed only 18 runs as Willey and Gulbadin Naib also departed.

Jordan Cox (31 off 17) and Neesham tried lifting the scoring rate with a brisk stand of 41 off 22 balls. Cox looked threatening before Omarzai returned for a brilliant 18th over, removing both Cox and Rovman Powell. Shanaka ended the innings with flair, hitting back-to-back sixes in a 19-run final over. Omarzai’s three wickets also put him ahead in the race for the tournament’s White Belt for most wickets.

Brief Scores

Dubai Capitals 160/6 in 20 overs (Sediqullah Atal 35, Jordan Cox 31; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-46) lost to Gulf Giants 161/6 in 18.5 overs (Pathum Nissanka 67, James Vince 50*; Dasun Shanaka 2-16) by 4 wickets.