In the DP World International League T20, Australian cricketer David Warner had a fantastic debut as captain for Dubai Capitals, leading them to a comfortable victory over MI Emirates in Dubai. The Capitals successfully chased down a target of 160 at the Dubai International Stadium, winning with four overs to spare and seven wickets in hand.
Rahmanullah smashed 81 runs in 39 balls
Opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a crucial role in the victory, smashing 81 runs from just 39 balls, including eight boundaries and four sixes. Despite Warner getting dismissed early by Trent Boult, Jake Fraser-McGurk quick 54 ensured there were no hiccups for the Capitals.
Warner, who has retired from Tests and ODIs, is now focusing on franchise cricket. However, it was Gurbaz, known for his impactful white-ball performances, who stole the spotlight with his dynamic innings.
MI Emirates, batting first, had hopes pinned on opener and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, who continued his great form from the previous year by scoring a quick 51 runs from 26 balls. Waseem was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the league’s inaugural season and the only batsman to hit 100 sixes in international cricket the previous year.
However, the turning point came when Waseem fell to the spin of Sikandar Raza, who took three wickets for 21 runs. Raza, a sought-after player in franchise cricket, showcased his batting skills and mystery spin. Nicolas Pooran, a dangerous batsman, was one of his victims.
As Waseem’s dismissal triggered a collapse, Jason Holder, the Windies all-rounder, contributed significantly, picking up three wickets for 36 runs. The match drew a decent crowd, possibly due to the league’s grassroots activation and the presence of Bollywood star and Knight Riders franchise owner Shah Rukh Khan at the Dubai International Stadium. The combination of Warner’s captaincy debut, Gurbaz’s explosive innings, and the overall team performance made it a memorable outing for Dubai Capitals in the T20 league.
