Abu Dhabi, UAE, CMC- The Dubai Capitals withstood a ferocious late assault from Andre Russell to clinch a tense nine-run victory over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium here on Saturday, sealing their second win of the DP World ILT20 season.
Two contrasting batting masterclasses defined the match. First, a sublime, career-best 99 from the Capitals’ wicket-keeper batsman Shayan Jahangir rescued his side from a precarious 4-2 and propelled them to a formidable 196-5.
In reply, Russell’s unbeaten 33-ball 53 launched a thrilling late chase, but the Knight Riders, shackled by regular wickets, ultimately fell short at 187-8.
Batting first, the Capitals were rocked early by some enterprising bowling from Captain Jason Holder and Ajay Kumar, who picked up the opening wickets with just four runs on the board in the third over.
The recovery was masterminded by a stellar 115-run partnership between Jahangir and Jordan Cox, who weighed in with 29 off 30.
Jahangir, playing with serene authority, anchored the innings and then accelerated, smashing 10 fours and five sixes.
He agonisingly missed a historic century by one run, bowled by Russell in the final over, but his 99 stands as the highest individual score by an associate player in the tournament’s history.
Rovman Powell chipped in with a valuable 38 not out off 24 balls to provide a brutal finishing flourish. Holder ended with 2 for 22, and Russell 2 for 32.
Chasing 197, the Knight Riders’ innings never found stable momentum. Despite a brisk start from Phil Salt with 33 off 29, they lost Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, and Liam Livingstone in quick succession.
The left-arm spin of Waqar Salamkheil 3-33 proved pivotal, removing Salt and Brandon McMullen to stunt the middle order.
At 122-6 in the 16th over, the game seemed done and dusted. However, Russell, alongside Holder, 22 off 9, ignited a stunning fightback.
Their 46-run stand in 20 balls, which included a brutal 18-run over off Mustafizur Rahman, swung the momentum violently.
With 26 needed from the final over, Russell launched a six off the first ball from Muhammad Jawadullah, but the young pacer held his nerve, conceding only singles thereafter to seal a hard-fought win for the Capitals.
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