Eliminator, Abu Dhabi, February 13, 2024, 08:00 PM
Dubai Capitals
188/5(20.0ov)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
103/10(16.5ov)
Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 85 runs
Right then, that is it from this one-sided affair where Dubai Capitals stays alive this season and eliminates Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Next up in the ILT20 2024 is the Qualifier 1 between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants. That game will begin on 14th February, Wednesday at 8 pm (2.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Sikandar Raza is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round performance. He says that the side has given a role and he is working hard to give his best no matter what is asked off him. Adds that they though if they got 160 on this then the'll be on tracka and the opponent would need to bat really well to defeat them but with 188 on board they knew they were much ahead in the game. Credits the bowlers for the way they pace the game in different fields.
The victorious skipper of Dubai Capitals, Sam Billings says it was hard for them to start but the platform that Tom Banton game allowed the middle order to get going. Adds that he was very happy with the total they posted as they aimed 160 plus here and they felt they were over par half way around. Credits Olly Stone and Scott Kuggeleijn as they compliment each other and totally helps the side early on in the game.
The captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sunil Narine says Dubai Capitals got 20-25 more but the way they were defeated was really poor. Adds that they never gave a fight outside the powerplay. Mentions that the team bonding and chemistry were there but it just did not click for them today.
Presentation Time...
Earlier in the game, Dubai Capitals posted a big total on the board courtesy of a couple of good knocks from both the Toms, but the big partnership of 69 runs between skipper Sam Billings and Sikandar Raza turned out be the difference in the end. Ali picked up a couple of wickets for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders while David Willey, Fabian Allen, and Joshua Little chipped in with one each. While chasing, the Knight Riders were never really in it and will have to settle for another trophyless season.
Dubai Capitals, on the other hand, continued their momentum from batting. Scott Kuggeleijn absolutely ran through the Knight Riders' picking up three early wickets which broke the backbone of the opposition while Olly Stone also got one. In the middle overs, it was all about the spinners as Sikandar Raza and Zahir Khan shared four wickets equally. It was Scott Kuggeleijn again who picked up the penultimate wicket while a run-out sealed the deal for them.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders needed a good start as they were chasing a target that would have broken the record of the highest run-chase at this ground in this season. However, losing Jason Roy for a duck in the first over hurt them badly. They couldn't really recover from that as they lost four wickets inside the Powerplay. Sam Hain tried his best along with David Willey to put up some fight, but with the asking rate going up with each ball, it proved to be an impossible task for them. Willey top-scored with 36, but they ultimately fell short by 85 runs and exited the tournament.
DUBAI CAPITALS HAVE DONE IT! There was a point when they were almost out of the tournament, but now they are just one step away from making it to the final. They will be playing either MI Emirates or Gulf Giants in the Qualifier 2. However, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were inconsistent throughout the season, and not having Andre Russell for this game proved to be a big loss as they needed a knock like his one against Australia just a few hours ago.
In over# 17
0W
0
0
0W
1wd
1
Scott Kuggeleijn 17/4(3.5)
16.5
W
OUT! That's a wrap as Sabir Ali falls prey to a lazy bit of running. Short-pitched on leg, Sabir Ali tickles it on his back foot towards the leg side. Haider Ali latches onto this and hits the bull's eye on the non-striking end. Sabir Ali had his bat in the air as he was planting it down and not dragging it and the third umpire gives it OUT. Dubai Capitals advance to the 2nd Qualifier as they win this one by 85 runs.
16.4
.
On a length outside off, change of pace as this was much slower. Sabir Ali toe pokes it back to the keeper.
16.3
.
On a length in middle, Sabir Ali pushes this to mid off for no run.
Sabir Ali walks out last to bat.
16.2
W
OUT! Scott Kuggeleijn gets his fourth. Short-pitched outside off, Sunil Narine looks to loft this over mid off but ends up hitting it straight to the fielder.
16.2
1wd
WIDE! On a length way too wide outside off, Sunil Narine shoulder arms it.
16.1
1
On a length around off, Ravi Bopara goes for the big slog but miscues it off the cue end landing in between two converging fielders for a single.
In over# 16
1
0
1
0
1wd
0
1
Olly Stone 18/1(3)
15.6
1
Good length outside off, Ravi Bopara hits it with one hand off the handle towards the leg side for a single.