Dubai Capitals thrash Gulf Giants in ILT20

Dubai Capitals recorded a stunning nine-wicket victory over reigning champions Gulf Giants in Qualifier 2 of the DP World ILT20 season 2 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

They booked the last slot in the play-off table after restricting the Giants to 138 for 6 and went on to win the match with 25 balls to spare, scoring 139 for 1.

Giants skipper James Vince had carried his team’s innings on his shoulder through a knock of 58 runs off 53 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.  After a 25-run opening partnership with Usman Khan (21), Vince lifted his team from a disastrous 62 for 5 through a 55-run partnership in 46 deliveries with Chris Jodan (30n.o) for the sixth wicket. Unfortunately, all his efforts went in vain.

Chasing the moderate target, Capitals openers Leus du Plooy and Tom Banton gave a stupendous start putting on a 98 runs partnership. Du Plooy was severe on strike bowler Jordan hitting him for a six and two boundaries to take 16 runs off his first over. The opening partnership in 11.1 overs ended when Banton was caught by Overton at long-on off Liam Dawson for a run-a-ball 38 runs.

Du Plooy reached his half century in 35 balls and remained unbeaten on 63 off 40 balls with five boundaries and three sixes, and along with Tom Abell (20n.o), they steered their team into the final to be held on February 17 (Saturday) at the Dubai International Stadium.

Earlier, the Giants had won the toss and elected to bat against the Capitals who were on a three-match winning run. Usman Khan, who opened the innings, with his skipper Vince, started with a boundary off Scott Kuggeleijn past cover-point and a six over long-off into the press box. They gathered 25 runs in three overs before Khan, on 21, attempted a leg-side shot and top-edged Jason Holder, resulting in wicketkeeper Sam Billings taking an easy catch.

One-drop Chris Lynn followed with a duck, clean bowled by a delivery that kept low from Haider Ali. Next, Jordan Cox departed quickly, run out for 2, while Jamie Smith got caught by Olly Stone at mid-off off Sikandar Raza for a duck. The responsibility of lifting the Giants out of trouble now fell on Shimron Hetmyer and Vince, with the Giants reeling at 40 for 4 in 7.4 overs. They, however, added only 22 runs together before Hetmyer, attempting to turn Kuggeleijn to leg, got a top edge and was caught by Raza at cover for 8.

With half the side back in the dugout for 62 in 10.4 overs, Chris Jordan joined Vince, who scored his half-century in 47 balls. The pair put on 55 runs before Vince’s knock of 58 came to an end when he lifted Stone's delivery into the hands of Rovman Powell at long-on. This ended Giants’ hopes of crossing the 150-run mark as well. Jordan remained unbeaten with a run-a-ball 30.

Match score:

Dubai Capitals beat Gulf Giants by 9 wkts.

Gulf Giants: 138 for 6 in 20 overs (James Vince 58, Usman Khan 21, Chris Jordan 30n.o)

Dubai Capitals: 139 for 1 in 15.5 overs (Leus du Plooy 63n.o, Tom Banton 38, Tom Abell 20n.o)

Player of the match: Leus du Plooy

POST-MATCH REPORT🖋️

Qualifier 2 of Season 2 of #DPWorldILT20

The Dubai Capitals secured their spot in the DP World ILT20 finals with a commanding 9-wicket victory over the Gulf Giants. Despite the slow start with the bat in the first innings, James Vince's resilient 58 and… pic.twitter.com/laeJvvVy46

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) February 15, 2024