Match 8, Dubai, January 25, 2024, 08:00 PM
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
183/4(20.0ov)
Dubai Capitals
185/5(16.1ov)
Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 5 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Sam Billings
Commentry
Right then, that is it from the game. The action in the International League T20 2024 will continue as we have a game between Sharjah Warriors and MI Emirates tomorrow which will be played at Sharjah. The game begins at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but do join us for the early build-up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!
Sam Billings is the Player of the Match for his scintillating knock of 67 off just 35 balls. He is up for a quick chat. He says it is a lot easier when you are ahead of the game. He says that the young lad, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set up things in good hands and he just had to carry on the momentum of the game. He also says that the pitch was wet and they batter really well on it, but he also talked about a few dropped catches and some mishapings in the match which they need to work on. He ends up praising Jake Fraser-McGurk as being that young and new to the format he is doing an exceptional job and he is very happy with his fearless batting style.
The winning skipper David Warner is up for a chat. Warner says that the boys were pretty calm after a couple of wickets early on. He says that the batters assessed the conditions well and went big once they were settled. Says that the two dropped catches helped them. Says that when one team crosses 200, the pressure of the chase gets big but otherwise it is tricky with the ball once the dew settles in. He adds that no team has won batting first on this pitch. He says that his message was to be brave and express themselves and execute their skills with a clear mind and that the boys executed that pretty well. Appreciates Akif Raja and says that he executed his plans well and stepped up. Concludes by saying that this win will give them a huge boost to their morale.
The losing skipper Sunil Narine of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders is up for a chat. He says that they knew about the dew factor in the venue so they needed to pick up wickets at the initial stage of the inning. He continues that they batted pretty well but the ball was not swinging later in the innings. He knows that they have games back to back so they have to react quickly.
Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the match, Dushmantha Chameera and Roelof van der Merwe performed well initially with the ball but the team struggled in the middle overs, conceding too many runs and making fielding errors. Only Chameera had good figures, while Jason Holder bowled well in the final over. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, despite early wickets, Sam Hain and Laurie Evans built a strong partnership, both scoring half-centuries and accelerating in the slog overs. Dubai Capitals were asked to chase a hefty 186. Jake Fraser-McGurk set the platform with his aggressive approach and Sam Billings along with Sikandar Raza helped their team to cross the victory line and register their second win of the tournament. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, on the other hand, lost their second game and they will remain on the bottom of the table.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders struggled with the ball! Despite sending David Warner packing in the very first over, they failed to pick wickets and that is what cost them the game. David Willey and Sunil Narine picked up two wickets each whilst Andre Russell had one in his kitty. The rest of the bowlers were wicketless. They were sloppy in the field as well which proved to be their part of the frustration.
Dubai Capitals finish off in style and they register their second win! They were off to a flier despite losing David Warner in the very first over, all thanks Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Jake Fraser-McGurk. They were 65/3 inside just 5 overs of play. Jake Fraser-McGurk perished after providing a strong foundation for the Capitals with his aggressive knock of 41 off just 17 rocks. He continues to impress the world with his skillful batting. Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza then took charge and made sure the job was done. They were aggressive in their approach and also kept rotating the strike with fabulous running between the wickers. Billings fell in the 15th over after scoring 67 off just 35 balls. Raza was dismissed at 43.
In over# 17
4
0/0(0)
16.1
4
FOUR! Finishes off in style! This one is much fuller down the leg. Rahul Chopra crouches down and sweeps it with the perfect timing from much right of the short fine leg. The ball rolls towards the boundary ropes for four more runs. That's it, as Dubai Capitals wins against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 5 wickets!
In over# 16
0
0
0
1
0W
4
David Willey 44/2(4)
15.6
.
On a length around off, angling away. Rovman Powell holds his stance and guides it towards the point fielder for no runs.
15.5
.
Back of a length on middle. Rovman Powell looks to flick it from his crease but misses and thumps his thigh pad. The ball rolls towards the point region for no runs.
15.4
.
That is some bounce! Sharp bouncer on middle. Rovman Powell ducks under it and heaves it to the keeper.
15.3
1
Sharp bouncer out off off stump. Rahul Chopra pulls it across the line towards the deep square leg and gets a single.
Just a complimentary hydration break to follow. Dubai Capitals are just four runs away from the victory. Sam Billings with his brilliant 67 and Sikandar Raza with his aggressive 43 ensured their win with a fantastic fourth partnership and an aggressive approach after losing three wickets. Their victory is almost confirmed and Rahul Chopra will be the next man in for the Capitals after the departure of Sikandar Raza.
15.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Another wicket for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders but it's too late now! Slower and low full toss delivery on middle. Sikandar Raza tries to push it towards the leg side but pushes it a bit early. The ball catches the leading edge of the willow and flies up in the sky. David Willey gets under the line and gets a routine catch Sikandar Raza departs now after knocking a wonderful innings.
15.1
4
FOUR! What a timing Sikandar Raza! Back of a length just outside off. Sikandar Raza stays in his stance and cuts it pass the point fielder for a boundary.
A bit of a halt in the proceedings as Rovman Powell has called up for the helmet. The man from the dressing room runs and hands him the helmet. Also, David Willey will bowl now.
In over# 15
0
1
1
0W
2
1
Sunil Narine 23/2(4)