In the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 opener, defending champions MI Emirates lost to Dubai Capitals by just one run in a last-ball thriller. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi's record-breaking five-wicket haul and captain Nicholas Pooran's half-century went in vain as Allah Ghazanfar played four dot balls in the penultimate over bowled by Olly Stone. In the last over, Kieron Pollard needed to score 13 runs but Farhan Khan managed to help his team win by the barest of margins.
Slow start for Capitals
Earlier, Pooran won the toss and opted to bowl first. Dubai Capitals openers struggled to score in powerplay overs. Farooqi in the fourth over dismissed Shai Hope who scored nine runs from 17 balls. Bradon McMullen hit the first six of the innings. After powerplay overs, Dubai Capitals were 30/1. Alzarri Joseph was introduced into the attack and knocked over Adam Rossington who scored nine runs from 16 balls. At the halfway stage, Capitals were 54/2.
Farooqi bags fifer
Capitan Sikandar Raza could not make an impact and departed for a run-a-ball 10. In the 14th over, McMullen reached his fifty from 33 balls. Rovman Powell looked to attack in the slog overs. In the penultimate over, Farooqi struck thrice to dismiss Powell, Dasun Shanaka and Stone. He finished with five wickets for 16 runs, best bowling figures in ILT20 history. The previous record belonged to Gulf Giants' David Wiese who claimed five wickets for 20 runs in 2023 edition. Capitals managed to post 133/8, thanks to McMullen's 42-ball 58.
Horrible start to run chase
In the run chase, MI lost Muhammad Waseem got a two-ball duck to Stone. In his second over, Stone dismissed Andre Fletcher for a nine-ball duck. Farhan was introduced into the attack and he got rid of Tom Banton. Obed McCoy struck with new ball too and dismissed Kusal Perera. Pooran arrived at the crease and hit Farhan for a six and a four. Emirates were 34/4 after powerplay overs. Akeal Hosein faced too many dot balls. At the halfway stage, MI were 54/4.
Naib, Stone turn game upside down
In the 11th over, Pooran and Hosein hit Raza for a six each. The partnership was broken in the 16th over by Gulbadin Naib. Hosein departed after scoring 30 runs from 31 balls. In the next over, Pooran reached his fifty with a maximum. Naib struck twice in the 18th over. Pooran scored 61 runs from 40 balls featuring three fours and four sixes. He got rid of Joseph as well. Stone bowled a fantastic penultimate over conceding just one run. Despite Pollard at the crease, Farhan managed to defend 13 runs in the last over as Dubai Capitals won by just one run.