Aasif Iqbal (United Arab Emirates), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka), Leslie Reifer (West Indies, TV)
Referee
Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)
Toss
Dubai Capitals elected to bowl
Pitch Report
There is a bit of grass on this surface. There is moisture in it too, so early on, the seamers should have a say. The new ball will be key in both innings.
VENUE STATS
1st Innings
160Avg Runs
7Avg Wkts
135.74Avg
SR
2nd Innings
138Avg Runs
6Avg Wkts
131.93Avg
SR
Weather Update
Weather Update
Sharjah,United Arab Emirates
Updated: 03 Feb 23:00
20.3°CClear
clear sky
23%
Clouds
0%
Rain %
55%
Humidity
12.6 kmph
Wind
Playing XILineups Out
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Venue Details
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
There is a bit of grass on this surface. There is moisture in it too, so early on, the seamers should have a say. The new ball will be key in both innings.
The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
10:02 PM local time (11:32 PM IST): The Dubai Capitals won the game comprehensively and have qualified for the Qualifier where they would be up against the same opposition--the Desert Vipers. With this game, the league stage has come to an end and the bandwagon now moves to the business end. For now, I, Keshav on behalf of my colleague, Bidipto, bid you adieu. See you soon again.
Qais Ahmed is the Player of the Match: First of all thanks to my dear Allah and thanks to my mom, my dad and my big brother and my wife. My family always supports me. When you play with legendary cricketers like Sam Billings, they always support me and always give me good opportunities and response. They say, 'You are main bowler and you try to bowl spin and you will be taking the wickets.' The wicket was very good for spin and I tried my best to turn the ball. I am happy for these four wickets. I enjoyed the wicket of Sam Curran because he's a good player and is scoring everywhere.
Sam Billings (Dubai Capitals captain): We're really pleased with how we performed tonight! Most boxes ticked. Qais Ahmad bowled exceptionally on a pitch that didn't offer a lot for the spinners. Wrist-spin always comes in handy! It'll be two really good teams playing in Qualifier 1, it's a new game, it's a new day, different conditions, so, we'll have to adapt accordingly. I feel like I'm hitting the ball well, but the guys are taking responsibility with the bat. That partnership between Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib ensured no hiccups.
Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers captain): These things happen, but we'll have to go back to the drawing board and play the same opposition again. I thought Qais Ahmad bowled really well. However, as I said, we back out boys. Max Holden will hopefully be back after a back issue.
9:52 pm local time (11:22 pm IST): It's time now for the post-match presentation!
9:43 PM local time (11:13 PM IST): The Dubai Capitals win by 9 wickets and will face the Vipers in the Qualifiers on Wednesday
Dan Lawrence: 44 (31) | Qais Ahmed: 4/25 (4) Gulbadin Naib: 55 (31) | David Payne: 1/29 (4)
The job was half done at the halfway mark in the game and then the Capitals top-order ensured that they finish second on the table in the last game of the league stage. Adam Rossington and Shai Hope started off well and added 42 runs for the first wicket in the powerplay.
Gulbadin Naib walked out at number three to bat alongside Shai Hope, the top run getter so far in the tournament. Naib was the aggressor in the partnership between the two and smacked boundaries at regular intervals to keep the scoreboard pacing. However, he got lucky too as he got 18 runs off the edge of his bat in the middle overs and that illustrates the power with which he swings the bat.
Both Shai Hope and Naib got their half-centuries before they reached the target with 17 deliveries remaining. The Vipers were found wanting in the field as they dropped three chances in the game, of which two easy catches were dropped by Michael Jones. Going into the Qualifiers, the Vipers can't afford such slip-ups in the game.
In the first innings, disciplined bowling from Qais Ahmed and Obed McCoy broke the back of the hosts and then the top-order finished the job for the Capitals without troubling any of the middle-order batters. The Capitals have the momentum on their side going into the Qualifiers where they would be facing the Vipers yet again.
17.1 Khuzaima Bin Tanvir to Shai Hope, THESE TWO TEAMS WILL MEET IN QUALIFIER 1! Length ball on off-stump. A mistimed drive down to mid-on off the front foot but the batters get through for a quick single! Dubai Capitals finish second in the points table with this win.
Scores are level as a result of a boundary off Shai Hope's swivel pull to fine-leg as he reached his FIFTY and then took a single off the last delivery of the over.
17
overs
137/1score
0
0
4
0
0
1
runs
Shai Hope*
51(53)
Gulbadin Naib
55(31)
David Payne
1/29
16.6 David Payne to Shai Hope, back of a length on off-stump. Knocked to the backward point area off the back foot for a single. Scores are level.
16.5 David Payne to Shai Hope, round the wicket, short and slow on off-stump. Hope was slightly early into his pull shot and could only bunt it to mid-wicket for no run.
16.4 David Payne to Shai Hope, back of a length and slow around off. Bunted on the up to short cover but for no run.
16.3 David Payne to Shai Hope, FOUR RUNS! SHAI HOPE BRINGS UP FIFTY! Short on middle-stump. Hope pulls it with a pivot on the backfoot and gets it over short fine for a boundary.
16.2 David Payne to Shai Hope, full and slow around off. The drive through cover on the front foot gets missed on this occasion.
16.1 David Payne to Shai Hope, back of a length and slow on off-stump. Patted to short cover from the back foot, no run.
STRATEGIC TIMEOUT!! Gulbadin Naib muscled a back off a length delivery over mid-wicket to reach his half-century. He then pierced the gap between long-on and deep mid-wicket with a heaved shot. And the Capitals are just 6 runs away from a spot in the Qualifier.
16
overs
132/1score
1wd
0
1
6
1
1
4
runs
Gulbadin Naib*
55(31)
Shai Hope
46(47)
Khuzaima Bin Tanvir
0/38
15.6 Khuzaima Bin Tanvir to Gulbadin Naib, FOUR RUNS! Short on off-stump here. Clubbed off the backfoot after clearing the front leg for a boundary to the gap between long-on and deep mid-wicket! Strategic time-out.
15.5 Khuzaima Bin Tanvir to Shai Hope, length ball around off. Stroked on the up off the front foot to deep cover point for a run.
15.4 Khuzaima Bin Tanvir to Gulbadin Naib, ANOTHER ONE GETS DROPPED! AND IT'S JONES ONCE AGAIN! Back of a length around off. The flat-batted swat on the front foot gets top-edged. And mid-off puts a sitter down! One more.