The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
So that is that from this contest. Rather one-sided, but entertaining nonetheless and we hope you enjoyed our coverage of the same. Another big game lies in front of us in the ILT20 2023 tomorrow, as the Sharjah Warriors take on the Desert Vipers in Sharjah. Do join us for our coverage of that game and further cricketing action from around the globe right here on Sportskeeda. For now though, this is the duo of Pratyush Rohra and Sooryanarayanan Sesha taking your leave. Thank you so much for tuning in today - good night and see you around!
The Capitals needed a thrust to their bowling department and Adam Zampa has provided them with that. They're looking a lot better rounded now and going forward into their remaining games, they will back themselves to ride on this momentum and get the job done. For the Knight Riders, it's about playing for pride now and also upsetting the apple cart of a few teams. Can they prove to be the party poopers over the next few days? Time will tell...
Adam Zampa is the Player of the Match for his fine spell of 3/16. Here's what he has to say: There was quite a bit of spin there. There was a bit of tackiness in there in the first innings. A bit of dew evened it in the second innings. It was a wicket where the sliders skid on well. For me it's always about trying to sum up the conditions and trying to execute as well as possible. (On lending his recent leadership experience to Powell) As much as possible. It's difficult in a franchise tournament where you don't play at the start of the tournament and come halfway through. I've played with Rovman before at the Jamaica Tallawahs and we share a healthy relationship. I'm trying to lend a hand but not getting on top. I think we've really improved from our last game to this game - that's all that we really can ask for.
Rovman Powell (Dubai Capitals captain): To be honest, I enjoyed how the bowlers bowled. At the start of the competition, we struggled with our bowling and now it seems like its a reliable aspect. The bowlers have stuck to their plans and a lot of credit goes to them. (Raza) He's been bowling well in the nets and we've realized he's a wicket-taker, even if he might go for a few runs. That is very very important, especially when you get good players. It's the only way to stop good players. (Zampa) We all know about his skill to get wickets in the middle overs. The best batters bat in the middle overs and if we have a wicket-taker in the middle overs, we're on our way. They're slotting in very well. They've been sitting on the bench for six games but have come in and taken their opportunity. That shows the character of both lads and it's very very important for us. We'll try to build on this in the next few days or so and see where that takes us.
Sunil Narine (ADKR captain): (What has been the issue?) To be honest, I'm not too sure now. It's probably a case of confidence. We have been in good positions in games but in the last overs, we can't get it right. Even in the Powerplay with the bat, it's not worked out regardless of the combinations we use. It's not about pointing fingers at batters or bowlers. It just hasn't gone together for us. (Joe Clarke) He's been in good nick ever since coming in. We had a good start but losing wickets in the middle meant that we can never finish. We just want to enjoy the next two games and get as many points on the board. (Bowling himself in the Powerplay) I'm just trying to keep myself as late as possible. Watching the games, it's clear that the seamers were getting more wickets than the spinners in the Powerplay. As I said, it feels like nothing will work for us. So, we just want to go out there and enjoy the next two games.
Match summary: Dubai Capitals beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 7 wickets.
George Munsey 57 (43) | Adam Zampa 3/16 (4) Joe Clarke 52 (27) | Akeal Hosein 1/21 (3.4)
The Knight Riders have endured a forgettable season of some kind and it reached another abyss today in Abu Dhabi. They are officially the first team to be out of the race for the playoffs. 149 was never going to be enough on a good batting track and if anything, the wicket just eased under lights for the Capitals' batters.
There wasn't any movement on offer for the seamers and Sunil Narine not bringing himself on in the powerplay was a real bemusing move. Niroshan Dickwella didn't waste any time in asserting himself in the middle and despite a couple of close shaves, the Capitals went about their business with minimal fuss. A strong powerplay set the foundation for a smooth chase, with George Munsey soon taking over and flicking a switch.
Dickwella's dismissal didn't deter the Scot, who was playing his first game of the season. He went about his job in professional fashion, notching up a half-century. Dasun Shanaka took his time himself in the meantime but also brought out a few clever strokes as he played the field to good effect. Even Narine couldn't do much with the ball and the end was always nigh for the Knight Riders.
Skipper Rovman Powell then did the needful and tore into fellow Jamaican Andre Russell for a couple of monstrous hits over the fence. While Munsey couldn't seal the deal, Powell saw his team past the finish line with plenty of time to spare. The win has now given the Capitals their third win of the season and a much-needed one as they seek to move up the ladder. Stay tuned for the presentations...
As easy as that for the Capitals! A much-needed win and they're on track again for the playoffs. Alas for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, they are the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs race!
17.4 Akeal Hosein to Rovman Powell, DUBAI CAPITALS STAY IN THE HUNT FOR THE PLAYOFFS! On the good length to slide into the right-hander, tucked through mid-wicket to pick up a crucial7-wicket win! That's the end of the road for ADKR in this tournament. They cannot make it to the Playoffs after this loss, still searching for their first win in the tournament
17.3 Akeal Hosein to Rovman Powell, OHH! Sharp arm ball sliding in from the good length. Stays a tad low to beat Powell's attempted cut and miss the off-stump by a whisker, no run
Just a run away now...
17.2 Akeal Hosein to Sikandar Raza, short and wide this time. Raza pulls it to long-on and walks across to the other end. Scores are level!
17.1 Akeal Hosein to Rovman Powell, into the pitch on the off-stump line. Powell rocks back and muscles his pull to long-on for a single
Around the wicket.
Akeal Hosein [3.0-0-18-1] is back into the attack
Well, not quite the last over that. Not easy putting Narine away to the fence is it? Just a matter of time though before the curtains come down on this contest and sadly, on the Knight Riders' campaign as well.
17
overs
147/3score
1
0
1
0
1
0
runs
Sikandar Raza*
1(4)
Rovman Powell
19(11)
Sunil Narine
0/31
16.6 Sunil Narine to Sikandar Raza, quicker on the fullish length as he spots Raza step out. Watchfully defended back to the bowler. The Dubai Capitals aren't doing themselves too many favors here, keeping the NRR in mind. They could have finished this much earlier to give it a significant boost
16.5 Sunil Narine to Rovman Powell, another one around the off-stump line. Powell hangs back to punch it past Narine for a single at long-on
16.4 Sunil Narine to Rovman Powell, AH! Flatter on the good length at middle and leg. Skids on to crash into Powell's pads, no run. No real appeals at any point
16.3 Sunil Narine to Sikandar Raza, into the pitch on the middle stump line. Nudged into the leg-side to get off the mark
Video
;'/></svg>)
R Powell
A Russell
;'/></svg>){kind=small}
Sikandar Raza
*
Sunil Narine
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
