Dubai Capitals secured a reccord-breaking 8-wicket win against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) in ILT20 on Sunday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as the crowd was entertained with a high-scoring contest that saw 410 runs in the match and ended with just a ball to spare.
Shai Hope (74 not out off 53 balls) and Gulbadin Naib (80 off 47) gave the spectators full value of their money in a 135-run partnership that helped the Capitals not only win but also establish a new record for the highest successful chase in the history of the tournament, which is in its third season.
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The duo hit 6 sixes, 5 of which were smashed by Naib, and 13 fours between them.
Earlier, Charith Asalanka set up ADKR’s impressive total with his stroke-filled knock of 74 runs from just 38 deliveries, including 6 fours and 4 sixes.
The Capitals got the start they needed to pull off a record chase, as Adam Rossington and Hope added 41 runs in
in just 4.2 overs, when the former was dismissed by Andre Russell for a 13-ball 21.
Thereafter, it was a show put up by Naib and Hope, with ADKR bowlers beint sent to all parts of the ground.
But the Capitals lost Naib at a crucial juncure, in the 18th over, when Jason Holder sent him back to keep his team in the game.
But Dasun Shanaka (17 not out off 8 balls) made a mockery of a stiff ask in the last 12 balls of the run-chase, smashing Russell (1 for 38) for two fours and a six in the 19th over and finally overhaul the target in 19.5 overs.
Earlier, during the ADKR innings, Sikandar Raza bowled crafty spell of spin bowling to take 2 for 24, but it didn’t prove enough to restrict the Knigh Riders’ batting line-up.
Besides Asalanka’s batting heroics, openers Kyle Mayers (35 off 21) and Andries Gous (27 off 17), as well as Alishan Sharafu (36 off 21) played brisk knocks to help push the total past the 200-run mark.
