161/6 (18.5)
CR : 8.55
160/6 (20.0)
CR : 8.00
Gulf Giants won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
P Nissanka
67(31)
11:23 PM IST, 9:53 PM Local Time: Nissanka Storms, Vince Steadies as Gulf Giants Brush Past Dubai Capitals by 4 wickets and 7 balls to spare.
Gulf Giants got their tactics spot on after winning the toss and opting to bowl first, restricting Dubai Capitals to a competitive but chaseable total of 160/6. The Giants struck early by removing Shayan Jahangir for 12 off 11 balls, but Capitals steadied themselves through a solid second-wicket partnership between Sediqullah Atal and David Willey.
Atal played positively for his 35 off 25 balls, striking two fours and two sixes, while Willey provided stability with 29 from 28 deliveries, including two boundaries and a maximum. However, once the stand was broken, the innings lost momentum as the Giants’ spinners seized control.
Moeen Ali and Liam Dawson applied the brakes expertly through the middle overs, drying up runs and forcing mistakes. Moeen finished with tidy figures of 1 for 23 from his four overs, while sustained pressure caused regular wickets to fall.
Despite the slowdown, Dubai Capitals found late impetus thanks to Jordan Cox, who struck a brisk 31 off just 17 balls, and a stunning final flourish from skipper Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka remained unbeaten on 23 off 9 balls, smashing two fours and two sixes to lift Capitals to 160/6. Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout wicket-taker for Giants, claiming 3 wickets despite conceding 46 runs.
The Giants’ chase began on an uncertain note with Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed early, but what followed was a decisive, match-winning partnership between Pathum Nissanka and James Vince. The pair added a commanding 97 runs, completely shifting the momentum. Pathum Nissanka was in brutal form, dismantling the Capitals’ bowling with a majestic 67 off just 31 balls, decorated with six fours and five towering sixes, effectively making light work of the target.
After Nissanka’s dismissal, Dubai Capitals clawed their way back briefly as their spinners tightened the contest and wickets fell at the other end. James Vince, still looking short of full rhythm and clearly hindered by injury, struggled to find fluency but showed immense composure and grit. Holding one end firm, he guided the chase home with a valuable 50 off 45 balls, including five fours and a six, ensuring there were no late stumbles.
Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for Dubai Capitals, as he took 2 wickets for 26 runs in his 4 overs, taking important breakthroughs. Dasun Shanaka was great in the back end, taking 2 wickets in 2 overs for 16 runs. Haider Ali bowled with great composure, giving away only 21 runs in his 4 overs.
Gulf Giants eventually sealed the win by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare, maintaining a perfect start to their ILT20 2025 campaign with two wins from two matches. In contrast, Dubai Capitals remain winless after losing both their opening fixtures, leaving them with early questions to answer as the tournament progresses.
Gulf Giants got their tactics spot on after winning the toss and opting to bowl first, restricting Dubai Capitals to a competitive but chaseable total of 160/6. The Giants struck early by removing Shayan Jahangir for 12 off 11 balls, but Capitals steadied themselves through a solid second-wicket partnership between Sediqullah Atal and David Willey.
Atal played positively for his 35 off 25 balls, striking two fours and two sixes, while Willey provided stability with 29 from 28 deliveries, including two boundaries and a maximum. However, once the stand was broken, the innings lost momentum as the Giants’ spinners seized control.
Moeen Ali and Liam Dawson applied the brakes expertly through the middle overs, drying up runs and forcing mistakes. Moeen finished with tidy figures of 1 for 23 from his four overs, while sustained pressure caused regular wickets to fall.
Despite the slowdown, Dubai Capitals found late impetus thanks to Jordan Cox, who struck a brisk 31 off just 17 balls, and a stunning final flourish from skipper Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka remained unbeaten on 23 off 9 balls, smashing two fours and two sixes to lift Capitals to 160/6. Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout wicket-taker for Giants, claiming 3 wickets despite conceding 46 runs.
The Giants’ chase began on an uncertain note with Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed early, but what followed was a decisive, match-winning partnership between Pathum Nissanka and James Vince. The pair added a commanding 97 runs, completely shifting the momentum. Pathum Nissanka was in brutal form, dismantling the Capitals’ bowling with a majestic 67 off just 31 balls, decorated with six fours and five towering sixes, effectively making light work of the target.
After Nissanka’s dismissal, Dubai Capitals clawed their way back briefly as their spinners tightened the contest and wickets fell at the other end. James Vince, still looking short of full rhythm and clearly hindered by injury, struggled to find fluency but showed immense composure and grit. Holding one end firm, he guided the chase home with a valuable 50 off 45 balls, including five fours and a six, ensuring there were no late stumbles.
Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers for Dubai Capitals, as he took 2 wickets for 26 runs in his 4 overs, taking important breakthroughs. Dasun Shanaka was great in the back end, taking 2 wickets in 2 overs for 16 runs. Haider Ali bowled with great composure, giving away only 21 runs in his 4 overs.
Gulf Giants eventually sealed the win by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare, maintaining a perfect start to their ILT20 2025 campaign with two wins from two matches. In contrast, Dubai Capitals remain winless after losing both their opening fixtures, leaving them with early questions to answer as the tournament progresses.
Pathum Nissanka gets the green belt for becoming the current leading run scorer of ILT20 2025.
Time for the post-game presentation!
Dispatch of the Match: Pathum Nissanka
Dasun Shanaka (Dubai Capitals Captain): (On Pathum Nissanka) He is in the form of his life. Anywhere he hits, it goes out of the park. He works very hard, he wants to be the best at the international. I have seen him come up from the grassroots level. He is special.
We could have taken on the bowling in the middle phase, but we failed to capitalise there. I feel Rovman Powell could have been sent up the order.
(On his batting position) I don't know about that (chuckles nervously)."
We could have taken on the bowling in the middle phase, but we failed to capitalise there. I feel Rovman Powell could have been sent up the order.
(On his batting position) I don't know about that (chuckles nervously)."
Moeen Ali (Gulf Giants Captain): "The fact that we got two points is good. But we can still play better. Nissanka is a brilliant player. He is one of the best players across all formats. Very difficult to bowl at him. James Vince is a quality player. You don't always have to look good, and sometimes we just need a player in T20 to just knock it around and anchor the chase."
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka
Pathum Nissanka (Player of the Match): "I like this venue, because most of the times I get runs here. I feel confident and back myself more. It was good to play against Dasun Shanaka.. Thanks!"
That's it from our side. Gulf Giants have smashed Dubai Capitals by 4 wickets and 7 balls to spare. This is Utsav Chandak, signing off on behalf of Arjun Bhalla, Mohammad Anab & Chandan Kumar Singh. For all the cricket updates, stay tuned with the Crickxo App.