On February 5, 2025, the Dubai Capitals faced off against the Desert Vipers in Qualifier 1 of the International T20 League (ILT20) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The thrilling encounter concluded with the Capitals securing their spot in the finals, beating the Vipers by five wickets after chasing down the target of 190 runs.
The Vipers, batting first, posted 189 runs for the loss of seven wickets, with several players contributing modestly to their innings. They were powered by Alex Hales, who was expected to lead the charge, but the day would belong to other players of the match. Lockie Ferguson was particularly effective with the ball, claiming two wickets for 32 runs across his three overs, though he later suffered a hamstring injury.
Dubai Capitals began their run chase with openers Adam Rossington and Shai Hope, who attempted to set the tone early. Rossington managed to score 44 runs off 31 balls before falling victim to Ferguson. Despite their initial hiccups, including Hope's early dismissal for 17 runs, the Capitals stabilized through the explosive batting of Gulbadin Naib, who scored 62 runs off 39 balls, and Sam Billings, who contributed 36 runs off 16 balls.
The intensity of the match escalated as the Capitals approached their target. Naib's performance was highlighted by his quote, stating, "I love pressure games. I used the surface. I used my variations a lot." His ability to handle the pressure shone through as he played pivotal innings alongside Billings, who took charge against Wanindu Hasaranga's bowling. Billings, acknowledging the challenge, said, "Someone had to take on Hasaranga. I will be honest, we were disappointing with the ball.”
With the required run rate hovering around 11 runs per over, the Capitals displayed resilience. At one point, it appeared they might falter, falling to 62 for five. But Naib held the innings together, continuously finding the boundary. The Vipers, meanwhile, can be criticized for their missed opportunities on the field, with at least five catchable balls slipping through their hands, which included costly errors during the final overs. Lockie Ferguson, frustrated over those dropped catches, remarked, "The boys bowled well, but the dew came in and made it slightly tough for us.”
Heading to the last over of the game, the Capitals needed six runs to win. A nervous atmosphere gripped both sides as Ferguson, now struggling with his injury, was unable to complete the over, leaving Mohammad Amir to bowl the final delivery. With Sikandar Raza stepping up to the crease under immense pressure, he managed to seal the match by lifting the ball over the boundary for four runs, winding up the chase with just one ball to spare.
This victory marked Dubai Capitals as the first team to secure their place in the finals. Their winning streak reflects their growth throughout the tournament—having defeated the Vipers multiple times leading up to this match. Gulbadin Naib was awarded the Player of the Match for his extraordinary performance, which included building partnerships and anchoring the innings at crunch moments.
The Vipers now have another chance to make the final. They await the winner of the Eliminator match to face off against them on February 7. They will look to correct the errors they made during this clash and build confidence from the experience. Ferguson, reflecting on the loss, stated, "We need to get back to the drawing board now and see how we plan for the next one." Meanwhile, Dubai Capitals have established themselves as serious contenders for the title as they gear up for the finals. With the passion displayed on the field, both teams will undoubtedly continue to thrill their fans, and the atmosphere will only intensify as the tournament progresses.