Dubai Capitals hold nerve to beat MI Emirates by one run in ILT20 Season 3

Dubai,
Dubai Capitals rode on the backs of stellar spells from Gulbadin Naib and Olly Stone to clinch a one-run victory against the MI Emirates in the first match of the ILT20 Season 3. Fans were treated to a last ball thriller at the Dubai International Stadium as Nicholas Pooran’s exquisite half century of 61 runs in 40 balls for MI Emirates went in vain. The win marked the narrowest margin in DP World ILT20 history.
MI Emirates were coasting to victory, needing 16 runs in 15 balls, but a disciplined showing from the Capitals’ bowling unit swung the pendulum in their favour. Gulbadin Naib finished with figures of 3 for 13, while Olly Stone returned with 2 for 14.
Earlier in the evening Fazalhaq Farooqi’s five wicket haul of 5 for 15, restricted the Dubai Capitals to 133/8. Brandon McMullen’s half-century of 58 runs in 42 balls, helped the Capitals recover from a poor start, while Rovman Powell also made an important contribution of 25 runs to give their bowlers something to defend.
The MI Emirates’ innings suffered an early setback as Muhammad Waseem and Andre Fletcher were both picked up by Olly Stone for ducks, in the powerplay.
At the 10 over mark, MI Emirates needed 80 runs in 60 deliveries. Signalling a change of momentum in the 11th over, Pooran heaved Sikandar Raza for six over mid-wicket. Akeal Hosein also took down Raza for a six down the ground to complete the most lucrative over of the innings until then with 14 runs.
The partnership was finally broken when Akeal Hosein was scalped by Gulbadin Naib with the scoreline at 103/2 in 15.2 overs. Hosein finished his innings with 30 runs in 31 balls. Soon after Pooran brought up his half century with a six, reaching the milestone in just 36 balls.
Olly Stone delivered a shrewd 19th over, conceding only one run. The onus was on the experienced Kieron Pollard to finish proceedings in the final over bowled by Farhan Khan. However, the veteran could only manage 11 runs of the 13 needed to hand the Capitals a thrilling last ball victory.
The Capitals only managed four runs in the final over to finish the innings at 133/8 in 20 overs.
Brief Scores
Dubai Capitals bt MI Emirates by 1 run
Dubai Capitals 133/8 in 20 overs (Brandon McMullen 58, Rovman Powell 25, Dasun Shanaka 13, Fazalhaq Farooqi 5 for 16, Zahoor Khan 1 for 22, Alzarri Joseph 1 for 29)
MI Emirates 132/7 in 20 overs (Nicolas Pooran 61, Akeal Hosein 30, Gulbadin Naib 3 for 13, Olly Stone 2 for 14)
Player of the Match: Gulbadin Naib