Rashid Khan‘s two-wicket haul spearheaded the MI Emirates’ robbery after the Capitals were comfortably positioned in the chase.At the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, MI Emirates shocked the Dubai Capitals by winning by seven runs while defending a meek score of 137/8. The innings was supported by Jonny Bairstow’s half-century, while Mustafizur Rahman and Muhammad Jawadullah both put in strong efforts.
The outcome moved MI Emirates to sixth position on the ILT20 Season 4 points table, surpassing the Capitals.
Leus De Plooy (4 of 11) was taken out by Muhammad Rashid Khan, which put pressure on the Capitals early on, but Jordan Cox (46 off 41) and Shayan Jahangir (34 off 27) batted with purpose. In the powerplay, Cox scored 51 runs with three boundaries and three sixes from Jahangir.
The two gave the Capitals the lead, but Rashid Khan outwitted Shayan Jahangir during a scoring slump after the powerplay.
As the run-rate dropped, Cox was joined by Rovman Powell (11 off 10). Prior to Rashid Khan stumping Powell in the thirteenth over, the two had put on a nearly run-a-ball 25-run partnership.
The second player to leave the Capitals at 94/4 in 14 overs was Dasun Shanaka (3 off 5), who was castled by Kamindu Mendis. Jimmy Neesham (0 off 3) was run-out, costing the Capitals their third wicket in six runs.
The run-rate kept increasing, and the Capitals finally required up to 30 runs off the last three overs, even though the well-established Cox was still in the middle. Naveen-ul-Haq ended the Capitals’ run chase in the penultimate over by dismissing Cox and Mohammad Nabi (12 off 13) in three balls.
The Capitals were skittled for 130 after losing three more wickets, including a run-out in Romario Shepherd’s last over.
MI Emirates managed to hold onto wickets throughout the powerplay in the first innings, but the Dubai Capitals’ tight new-ball spells held Muhammad Waseem (17 off 19) and Jonny Bairstow (67 off 40) to 40 runs in the first six overs.
Following Waseem’s dismissal by David Willey in the seventh over, Bairstow and Nicholas Pooran (8 off 16) shared 48 runs. The Englishman gave it the boost, hitting Mohammad Nabi for a four and two straight sixes on his way to a half-century off 30 balls that included three sixes and eight fours.
Jawadullah of the Capitals had a key role in changing the pace by dismissing Pooran and Bairstow in his opening two overs, conceding just seven runs, and leaving the MI Emirates at 99/3.
Before Mustafizur Rahman tore through the middle and lower order, dismissing Tom Banton (5 off 11), Rashid Khan (1 off 3), and AM Ghazanfar (0), Kieron Pollard (6 off 8) and Kamindu Mendis (10 off 7) were quickly dismissed by Haider Ali and Waqar Salamkheil.
The MI Emirates scored 137/8 thanks to a six and a four from Romario Shepherd (18 off 10), who remained undefeated.
Rashid Khan, the Player of the Match, expressed his happiness at today’s victory. We were close in the previous game, but we were glad to win today. Being a part of an experienced team is always beneficial. It was a good bowling and team effort today. We had energy today, I believe, because of the way we fielded.
“We bowled really well,” stated Dasun Shanaka, captain of the Dubai Capitals, “but a few drop catches gave them extra runs.” Jimmy Neesham’s and my wickets were critical when they needed wickets, but I believe I gave my away. The game was completely on our side.
India
