Dubai Capitals script history with record chase againstAbu Dhabi Knight Riders

• Buoyed by a 135-run partnership between Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib, the Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by eight wickets
• Match tickets for Season 3 are available here
• DP World ILT20 Season 3 schedule available here, squads available here

Abu Dhabi, 26 January 2025: Fans were treated to a thrilling run-fest at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the Dubai Capitals pulled off a stunning eight-wicket victory over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the DP World ILT20 Season 3. Chasing a daunting 204, the Capitals were powered by match-winning performances from Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib in a sensational 135-run partnership that laid the foundation for the largest run chase in the league’s history. Hope’s composed half-century and Naib’s explosive 80 were pivotal in the Capitals’ triumph. Earlier, Charith Asalanka set the stage for a high-scoring spectacle, with standout performance of 74 runs in 34 balls.

Faced with a mammoth target, Adam Rossington and Shai Hope kept the Capitals in the hunt with 54 runs in the powerplay. Rossington registered a quick fire 21 runs in 13 balls before he was dismissed by Andre Russell in the fifth over.

Shai Hope, extending his purple patch, reached his third half century of the league in 34 balls striking four fours and two sixes on his way there. Hope was joined by Gulbadin Naib. Naib’s restrained start saw him collect just one boundary in his first 27 runs, but he shifted gears soon after, taking charge of the chase and racing to his half-century, also off 34 balls. Between the 13th and 17th over, the Capitals scored 71 runs to inch within striking distance of their target. The partnership of 135 runs was finally broken when Jason Holder’s slower one saw the end of Naib in the 18th over. Naib finished his innings with 80 runs in 47 balls, including four fours and five sixes.

With two overs to go, the Capitals needed 26 runs. Dasun Shanaka who had just walked in had an instant impact, taking down Andre Russell for two fours and a six in the 19th over ensuring the Capitals reached the target in 19.5 overs and thereby completing the largest run chase in the history of the competition. Dasun Shanaka remained unbeaten with 17 runs in eight balls.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders asserted their dominance with a 63-run partnership between openers, Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous. Gous exploited the powerplay to carve out six boundaries in his 27 runs off 17 balls before falling to Obed McCoy. Mayers smashed 35 from 21 balls, including four fours and two sixes, until Sikandar Raza dismissed him in the seventh over to briefly quell the run rate. Raza struck again in the eighth, removing Michael Pepper for 10, leaving the Knight Riders at 82/3 in 8.2 overs.

 The momentum shifted dramatically as Charith Asalanka and Alishan Sharafu unleashed an onslaught on the Capitals’ bowlers. Dropped multiple times, the duo punished the fielding errors by amassing 105 runs in just 52 deliveries. Asalanka’s commanding 74 off 38 balls featured six fours and four sixes, while Sharafu added a swift 36 from 21 balls before retiring hurt in the 17th over.

Dushmantha Chameera restored some control at the death, dismissing Asalanka and conceding just six runs across his last two overs. However, the damage had been done, as the Knight Riders surged to 203/4, their highest-ever total in the DP World ILT20 and the highest first innings total of the season.

Player of the Match Gulbadin Naib said: “Shai and I were just looking to rotate the strike at one stage, but after the 14th over, we shifted the momentum. T20 cricket should always be entertaining for the crowd. If you observe the opposition and they look worried, it means you are doing well. I am available to bat at any position. As an athlete, you must always prepare for any situation and never give excuses to your captain. This is something I have always followed in my career.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Sunil Narine said: “Our batting needed to step up today, and thankfully, it did. However, I don’t think we did a fantastic job with the ball. It’s a good pitch, and credit to them—they batted well. If we’re not taking wickets, we’re allowing the batting team to get back into the game. Asalanka played a brilliant role; having a left-hander in the lineup allows us to bat deeper and counter spinners effectively. In the end, someone must win, and someone must lose.”

Brief Scores

Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by eight wickets

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 203/4 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 74, Alishan Sharafu 36 retired hurt, Kyle Mayers 35, Sikandar Raza 2/24)

Dubai Capitals 207/2 in 19.5 overs (Gulbadin Naib 80, Shai Hope 70, Andre Russell 1 for 38, Jason Holder 1 for 40)

Points Table

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