Powell’s Blazing 96* Powers Dubai Capitals to Dominant 83-Run Win Over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 96 and Jordan Cox’s 52 powered the Dubai Capitals to 187, before their bowlers skittled Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for 103 to seal an 83-run ILT20 win.

Rovman Powell of Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Image Source: Google)

Rovman Powell’s stunning unbeaten half-century set up the Dubai Capitals’ first win of the DP World ILT20 Season 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Batting first, the Dubai Capitals recovered from a shaky start courtesy of Powell’s unbeaten 96 runs off 52 balls and Jordan Cox’s 52 runs off 32 balls to set the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a target of 187 runs. In response, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were bundled out for 103 runs in 15.3 overs as the Dubai Capitals secured a NRR-boosting 83-run win.

Sunday’s win is the Dubai Capitals’ second-biggest win in terms of runs in the DP World ILT20. Incidentally, four of the Dubai Capitals’ biggest wins in the tournament have come against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Chasing 187 to win, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were off to a horrible start as David Willey got rid of Alex Hales (0 off 1) and Alishan Sharafu (4 off 4) in the very first over. Mustafizur Rahman reduced the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to 10 for three by dismissing Unmukt Chand (0 off 1) for a golden duck.

Phil Salt (27 off 21) tried to keep the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the game with a fighting innings but fell to Rahman with his side struggling at 44 for 4 at the end of the powerplay. Mohammed Nabi trapped Liam Livingstone (16 off 15) plumb in front of the wicket to bring Andre Russell (12 off 6) out in the middle.

Russell, out in the middle much sooner than he would have appreciated, whacked Waqar Salamkheil for two massive sixes over cow-corner. However, the Afghan spinner had the last laugh as Russell failed to connect for a third six and gave an easy catch to wicket-keeper Shayan Jahangir.

Nabi and Salamkheil kept a tight leash on the scoring which increased the pressure on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders batters. Skipper Jason Holder (0 off 4), Sunil Narine (3 off 5) and Sherfane Rutherford (19 off 25) perished as they tried to mount a late fightback.

Salamkheil dismissed Olly Stone (6 off 6) to secure a convincing win for the Dubai Capitals.

Having been put to bat first, the Dubai Capitals did not have the best of starts. Openers Toby Albert (8 off 8) and Sediqullah Atal (8 off 11) were helped along by some poor catching from the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders fielders. Atal was dropped twice while Albert was dropped once inside the opening four overs.

However, the duo could not make the most of their extended stays and were dismissed for eight runs apiece as the Dubai Capitals ended the powerplay with 43 runs for the loss of two wickets. Piyush Chawla, playing in his 300th T20 match, struck with his first ball to get rid of the USA batter Shayan Jahangir (14 off 13) to leave the Dubai Capitals reeling at 43 for three.

Cox and Powell took control of the match as they stitched a 119-run stand off 76 balls. While Powell smashed eight fours and four sixes in his innings, Cox (52 off 36) hit four fours and one six in his stay. On a slow surface, Powell and Cox kept the scoreboard ticking with some excellent running between the wickets.

Cox perished soon after bringing up his half-century in the 19th over as he tried to hit Holder over long on only to find Olly Stone in the deep. Powell let loose in the final over as he slammed two sixes and two fours of Andre Russell’s first four balls in the final over. Russell got the consolation prize of denying Powell a fabulous hundred by nailing the final two balls of the innings.

Match Summary

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Dubai Capitals by 83 runs

Dubai Capitals 186/4 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 96 not out, Jordan Cox 52, Jason Holder 2 for 30, Piyush Chawla 1 for 23)

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 103/10 in 15.3 overs (Phil Salt 27, Waqar Salamkheil 4 for 29, David Willey 2 for 13, Mohammed Nabi 2 for 12)

Player of the Match: Rovman Powell