Dubai Capitals clinched their first-ever title with a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Desert Vipers in the dramatic final of DP World ILT20 Season 3, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The win earned Dubai Capitals a cash prize of USD 700,000, while the Desert Vipers received USD 300,000.
Chasing a target of 189, Sikandar Raza played a pivotal role, smashing 34 runs off just 12 balls in the final over to seal the victory. Earlier, Rovman Powell’s 63 and Shai Hope’s steady 43 laid a strong foundation for the Capitals’ successful chase.
For the Vipers, Max Holden’s impressive 76 runs steadied the innings after early wickets, while Sam Curran’s unbeaten half-century, featuring five fours and three sixes, propelled the total. Azam Khan also played a crucial role with a cameo of 27 runs, hitting boundaries in the final overs.
The Capitals’ chase started poorly with David Warner dismissed early in the second over, followed by quick wickets from Mohammad Amir, who took out Gulbadin Naib and captain Sam Billings. At the end of the powerplay, the Capitals were struggling at 39/3, but Powell and Hope kept them in the game. Hope played a patient role, while Powell took charge with two massive sixes, and the duo brought the score to 100/3 after 12 overs, requiring 90 runs from the remaining 48 balls.
Curran broke the 80-run partnership when he dismissed Hope, caught at deep mid-wicket. Powell continued his attacking play, reaching a half-century off 30 balls, but with 65 runs needed from the final five overs, the game was still very much in the balance. Powell and Dasun Shanaka both hit sixes off Curran in the 16th over to keep the Capitals in contention, but Shanaka was dismissed for 21 runs off just nine balls. Powell fell for 63 off 38 balls in the 18th over, caught by Nathan Sowter.
Sikandar Raza then took control of the chase, hitting three boundaries off Amir in the 19th over and beginning the final over with a six and a four, guiding the Capitals to victory in 19.2 overs. This marked their sixth consecutive win over the Desert Vipers.
Earlier, in the Vipers’ innings, Obed McCoy provided the Capitals with an early breakthrough, removing both openers, Alex Hales and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, within the first five overs. Max Holden, however, was in fine form, hitting nine boundaries in the powerplay and taking the Vipers to 53/2 after six overs. Holden brought up a rapid half-century off 32 balls and continued to find boundaries despite being dropped by Powell.
Dan Lawrence contributed 10 runs in a 41-run partnership with Holden before being dismissed by Haider Ali in the tenth over. Curran joined Holden for a valuable 47-run partnership, which ended when Raza removed Holden for 76 runs in the 16th over. Azam Khan then joined Curran, and the two put together a quickfire 67-run stand off 29 balls. Curran finished unbeaten on 62 runs, while Azam smashed 27 runs off 13 balls. The Vipers posted a challenging total of 189/5 in their 20 overs.
Rovman Powell, named Player of the Match, reflected on the victory, stating, “Credit to the guys in the dressing room, the message was to stay calm. In the final, big players stand up. I’m disappointed to get out but glad we got through.”
Sam Curran, who was awarded the Red Belt as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, acknowledged the loss, saying, “It’s tough to take it when you lose, but I’m extremely proud of the team and coaching staff. Hopefully, we can do better next year.”
In addition to the final, the DP World ILT20’s individual awards recognized outstanding performances throughout the season. Shai Hope won the Green Belt for the best batter with 529 runs, MI Emirates’ Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed the White Belt for the best bowler with 21 wickets in 11 innings, while Sam Curran was named MVP with 387 runs and seven wickets. Muhammad Waseem of MI Emirates won the Blue Belt as the best UAE player for the third consecutive season.
