The International League T20 (ILT20) season concluded on Sunday with an exciting final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Rovman Powell used a second life that Azam Khan had given him to lead the Dubai Capitals to their first ILT20 championship victory over the Desert Vipers.
Sikandar Raza and Shai Hope were also instrumental in the fierce pursuit, which saw the Capitals defeat the Vipers for the fourth time this season. Vipers reached a competitive total because to half-centuries from Max Holden and Sam Curran. Azam also made a significant cameo, scoring 27 off 13. However, in the end, it was insufficient.
Throughout the run-chase, the match continued to swing like a pendulum. Shai Hope, the opener, played the anchor to score 43 off 39 balls after DC lost David Warner (4), Gulbadin Naib (5), and Sam Billings (6) early. Rovman Powell, who had been given a reprieve after scoring just two, then assumed the role of the aggressor.
After adding 80 runs with Hope and then a quick 41 runs with Dasun Shanaka (21 off 10) before being removed off the final ball of the 18th over bowled by Sowter, Powell continued to put salt to the Vipers’ wounds.
With four fours and a six off his bat to secure the title-winning victory, the next eight deliveries of the match became a Raza display.
Mohammad Amir (2 for 35) and David Payne (2 for 28) each claimed two wickets for the Vipers.
Max Holden, who scored 76 off 51 balls, and skipper Sam Curran, who wasn’t out on 62 off 33 balls, helped the Vipers score an outstanding 189/5 earlier.
The Vipers lost openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (5) and Alex Hales (5) to bowler Obed McCoy (2 for 44) after being put in to bat. Before Raza (1 for 42) removed the Vipers’ top scorer in the 16th over, Holden continued to attack, scoring 41 runs with Dan Lawrence (10), and 47 runs with Curran.
The score then surpassed 180 runs after Curran and Azam Khan (27 off 13 balls) hammered 67 runs in the final 4.5 overs.
