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The excitement and thriller of the International League T20 (ILT20) league climaxed as Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers locked horns to lay their hands over the coveted trophy at the Dubai International Stadium. In a nail-biting run chase, the Capitals outperformed the Vipers and won their maiden ILT20 title due to a blistering knock from Rovman Powell and significant contributions from Shai Hope and Sikandar Raza.
Desert Vipers carved out a competitive total
The home side won the toss and elected to field first with the hope that early breakthroughs would restrict Vipers’ innings. Their plan made sense when the Vipers’ opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Alex Hales were sent back to the pavi🅺lion within the first 5 overs, leaving the visitors struggling at a score of 34 runs for the loss of 2 wick♚ets.
However, the middle-order pair of Max Holden and Dan Lawrence did manage to stabilize the Vipers’ innings and added some crucial runs on the board. Holden, in particular, was the star of the show for the Vipers as he built a solid innings of 76 runs off 51 balls. Holden got support from skipper Sam Curran and wicket-keeper Azam Khan towards the end, who carried on with the momentum developed by Holden and made 62 and 27 runs, respectively. Thus, a brave effort from thes🐽e batters paved the way for the Vipers to reach a total of 189 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.
A batting masterclass from Rovman Powell
The Capitals had a dreadful start to the run chase with David Warner and Gulbadin Naib dismissed early on in the innings. Skipper Sam Billings too could not leave a mark with the bat and was sent back to the pavilion by Mohammad Amir. At one time, the Capitals were struggling at 31/3♉.
Ho🧸wever, Hope and Powell had plan🔯s of their own as the two batters developed a crucial partnership to get their team back into the game. Hope’s 43-run knock off 39 balls provided the Capitals’ innings the stability they so desperately needed and allowed Powell to storm his way against Vipers’ bowling unit.
Powell was the main pillar of strength for the Capitals during the run-chase. The Caribbean power-hitter scored 63 runs off 38 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. His innings kept the required run rate for the Capitals in check and eased the pressure off the rest of the batters.
Towards the end of the run-chase, all-rounder Raza had a stellar performance with the bat as he scored 34 off just 12 balls with 5 boundari🀅es and a six.
His brilliant knock paved the way for the Capitals to reach the target with 4 balls remaining and lay their hands🀅 on their maiden ILT20 title. For his outstanding performance and changing the course of the match on its head, 🦋Powell was named the Player of the Match.
Also Watch: Gulbadin Naib takes a breathtakin♊g catch to dismiss Aza𒆙m Khan in ILT20 2025
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
With the champions of
— Altamash Iqbal (@altamashi25)
Finally the✱ FIRST Ever Title f💜or Capitals Franchise 🔥
Dubai Capitals won
"Meg Lanning" is Actual Face of our Capitals World 😎 ⛎
— Fraser Lanning Oscar 🇦🇺🇮🇳 (@McG𒅌urk_Fancier)
We are a Champions
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129)
Good to see 𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐳𝐚 back in runs prior to the PSL. He scored 34*(12) to power Dubai💙 Capita💦ls to their first ILT20 title 🔥 |
— Usman Jamil (@jamilmusman)
Jo Jeeta Wohi🅠 Sikanda🐭r (transl. The one who wins is the king )
Take a bow 🇿🇼
What a knock to sea𓃲l the first ever trophy for the Dubai Capitals !
(1)
— Kumaran Kumanan (@KumaranKumanan)
Maiden Tittle for Capital Family
Player of th♎e Match- Rovman powell (63 runs off 38 ꧑balls)
Hero of the Mat൩ch- Sikandar Raza (34 runs off 12 balls)
— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan)
C﷽ongratulations to Dubai Capitals on winning the ILT20 2025! A fantastic performa🧜nce throughout the tournament, culminating in a well-deserved victory. Well played, champions!
— Muhammad AbuBakar (@SrAbuBakr)
Maiden title for Capitals family as they become the champions ♊of ILT20 2025. 🔥
– Sikandar Raza was the hero with his incredible finish of 34 (12). 🌟
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1)
Congratulations to Dubaicapitals 🙌🏆
Champions of the— Saanvi (@SaanviMsdian)
Rovman Powell coming good
Well done Dubai capitals
— Jessie (@juvi22003)