Capitals Defeat Vipers by Six Wickets : ILT20 Season 3: Dubai Capitals End Desert Vipers' Winning Streak with Six-Wicket Victory

Dubai, Jan 21 (NationPress) The Desert Vipers' impressive undefeated run came to an end on Monday, as the Dubai Capitals achieved an extraordinary six-wicket triumph in ILT20 Season 3 at the Dubai International Stadium. A stellar bowling display, led by Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan's three-wicket feats, limited the Vipers to a total of 139 runs. Gulbadin Naib spearheaded the chase with an explosive 78-run innings from 51 balls, helping the Capitals snap a three-match losing streak.

Despite the modest first innings total, captain Lockie Ferguson kept the Vipers competitive with a fiery opening spell. Ferguson claimed the wickets of Ben Dunk and Khalid Shah in the second over, leaving the Capitals in a precarious position at 17/2. Although the run rate was manageable, opener Shai Hope was run out for just eight runs due to a mix-up with Naib in the sixth over.

Naib, who had been dropped for two runs earlier in the innings, quickly made amends in the subsequent over by hitting Nathan Sowter for three sixes, reducing the required run rate to below six runs per over.

With Sikandar Raza supporting him, Naib raced to a 31-ball half-century, which included two fours and three sixes. The duo achieved a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 36 balls. Consequently, by the 14-over mark, the Capitals found themselves in a strong position needing just 32 runs from 36 balls. Raza, who had been cautious up until then, was caught off a shorter delivery from Mohammad Amir after scoring 24 runs from 26 balls in the 15th over. Najibullah Zadran then joined Naib, who continued to dominate the Vipers' bowling lineup. Naib hit two more sixes as the Capitals reached their target in 17.4 overs.

Batting first, the Vipers got off to a solid start, scoring 48/1 by the end of the Power-play. Fakhar Zaman set the pace early with a six and a four before getting bowled by Dushmantha Chameera in the second over. Dan Lawrence, who came in at number three, mirrored Zaman's aggression, while Alex Hales steadied the innings from the other end.

However, the Capitals took the reins during the middle overs despite a 58-run partnership between Hales and Lawrence. The Vipers faced a trio of setbacks in rapid succession, losing Hales, Lawrence, and Sam Curran in three consecutive overs. Haider Ali dismissed Hales for 34 in the tenth over, followed by Lawrence's 24-run contribution being ended by Gulbadin Naib. Curran was stumped off Sikandar Raza for just three runs, leaving the Vipers in a tough spot at 80/4 in 11.3 overs.

The collapse persisted as the Vipers were bowled out for 139 in 20 overs. Brief innings from Azam Khan (10) and Wanindu Hasaranga (13) concluded with both falling to Zahir Khan. Sherfane Rutherford offered a flicker of hope by smashing three sixes in his 27 runs off 24 balls, but Chameera struck for the third time in the penultimate over to end his innings.

Player of the Match Gulbadin Naib stated, "We were at the bottom of the table, so we were searching for momentum. There's still a long journey ahead. Facing bowlers of this caliber is no easy task. Fortunately, I took my time. After the drinks break, the staff informed me that I was looking good, so I told Sikandar that I would play to my strengths."

Desert Vipers captain, Lockie Ferguson remarked, "It was a challenging match. We probably fell a few runs short and missed some opportunities. They bowled exceptionally well, and the pitch had some spin. There's a quick turnaround ahead, but the boys have been batting wonderfully."

Brief scores:

Desert Vipers: 139 all out in 19.5 overs (Alex Hales 34; Dushmantha Chameera 3-26, Zahir Khan 3-34) lost to Dubai Capitals: 140/4 in 17.4 overs (Gulbadin Naib 78 not out; Lockie Ferguson 2-29) by six wickets.