DUBAI: Thirteen runs were needed off the last six balls. Kieron Pollard occupied the crease. What would you expect? The swashbuckling batter to seal the win with a couple of brutal hits, right? But that wasn’t the case on Sunday. Farhan Khan, a young fast bowler from the UAE, rose to the occasion for the Dubai Capitals at a roaring Dubai International Stadium.
The 20-year-old pacer held his nerves and bowled smartly to the veteran allrounder, conceding just 11 runs to hand the Dubai Capitals a thrilling one-run victory against defending champions MI Emirates.
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Dubai Capitals’ star batter Rovman Powell praised Farhan for staying composed against a cricketing legend and preventing a match-winning finish.
“That’s the beauty of these leagues. You rub shoulders with greats like Pollard. Imagine what a game like last night can do for young Farhan. He stopped Pollard and won the game for us. It’s just something for him to take the strength from that and propel his career,” Powell told TimesofIndia.com.
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The progress of the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 has been remarkable.
They reached the Eliminator in the tournament’s inaugural edition and advanced to the final in the 2024 season, where they lost to MI Emirates in the title clash.
“We have played some good cricket over the last two seasons. The third season provides an opportunity for us to win a title. Last year, we were beaten finalists. This year, we’re definitely looking to go one step further,” Powell said.
“I think it’s a nice team with a lot of experienced guys mixed with some guys that just need guidance,” he added.
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“I think we have quite a few game-changers. As you saw last night, the game keeps changing. Definitely, I am one. And I try to impart what I can on the game. But when you look through our team, our captain Sikandar Raza is a game-changer. Shai Hope is a game-changer. And you have different guys. Obed McCoy is also a game-changer with the ball. And you have the young guy, Farhan. He did well,” the 31-year-old said.
