Dubai Capitals’ first-ever win over Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20 history turned out to be a comprehensive win. Afghan trio – Mohammad Nabi, Sediqullah Atal and Waqar Salamkheil – starred in Capital’s 63-run win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on December 19. After Atal's half-century and Nabi's cameo helped Capitals set a target of 181, the veteran off-spinner and Salamkheil's three-fer bowled out Warriorz for 117 with three overs to spare.
Atal hits fifty, Nabi finished well
Warriorz captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and opted to bowl first. Raza dismissed Shayan Jahangir lbw. Jordan Cox contributed with a 19-ball 28 before falling to Taskin Ahmed in the fifth over. Atal continued to anchor the run chase. In the 10th over, Leus du Plooy hit two boundaries before becoming Adil Rashid's only victim of the evening. At the halfway stage, Capitals were 86/3.
In the 13th over, Rovman Powell lost his wicket to Matheesha Pathirana. Atal reached his fifty with a six in the 15th over. He took 36 balls to reach the milestone. In the slog overs, Nabi launched an onslaught. In the 18th over, Taskin returned. Aatal hit him for a six and got caught at mid-off the next ball. The opener hit two fours and three sixes in his 44-ball 66. In the last two overs, Nabi hit two more sixes. Skipper Dasun Shanaka struggled and got dismissed for five runs from nine balls. His unbeaten 19-ball 38 helped Capitals post 180/6.
Rew runs out of partners, Warriorz lose wickets in clusters
Mustafizur Rahman struck early with the new ball, dismissing Johnson Charles in his first over. Opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore departed for a 12-ball 15 in the fourth over. Haider Ali struck twice in the powerplay overs. He knocked over Tom Abell for a 13-ball 15. Warriorz were 45/3 after six overs. James Rew and Raza took control of the run chase. Warriorz were 84/3 at the halfway stage.
Salamkheil broke the partnership with Raza's wicket. The skipper scored 21 runs from 14 balls. After two boundary-less overs, Ethan DSouza became Nabi's first victim. He scored just five runs from 10 balls. In the next over, Salamkheil struck twice to dismiss Dwaine Pretorius and Harmeet Singh. Mustafizur returned to remove Rashid in the 16th over. Then, Nabi struck twice in the 17th over to wrap up the proceedings. Rew was the last to depart. He scored 47 runs from 38 balls, including two fours and a six. Warriorz lost the match by 63 runs. They are at the bottom of the table with their fourth win from six games. On the other hand, Capitals improved their net run rate (NNR) and now occupy the second spot.