Dubai Capitals clinch historic ILT20 Title as Sikandar Raza’s blazing finish stuns Desert Vipers in thrilling final

Dubai Capitals clinched their first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) title in a thrilling final against Desert Vipers, securing a four-wicket victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In a match filled with dramatic twists and standout performances, Sikandar Raza delivered a stunning late flourish, ensuring the Capitals’ triumph in the final over.

With the win, Dubai Capitals bagged a cash prize of USD 700,000, while the runners-up Desert Vipers took home USD 300,000.

Chasing a formidable target of 189, Dubai Capitals found themselves under pressure early in the innings. However, it was Sikandar Raza who provided the final push, smashing an unbeaten 34 off just 12 balls, including three fours in the penultimate over and a six and a four in the final over to take his side over the line in 19.2 overs.

Before Raza’s heroics, Rovman Powell played a crucial knock, anchoring the chase with a blistering 63 off 38 balls, laced with seven boundaries and three sixes. Powell, who was named Player of the Match, played a pivotal role in setting up the Capitals’ victory, recovering from an early slump after losing three wickets inside the powerplay.

Shai Hope (43 off 39 balls) and Powell forged an 80-run stand, steadying the innings. However, Powell’s dismissal in the 18th over by Nathan Sowter momentarily put the Capitals under pressure, before Raza took charge and guided the team to their historic win.

The Capitals’ chase got off to a shaky start as David Warner fell in the second over, chopping the ball onto his stumps off David Payne. Mohammad Amir then dealt a double blow by removing in-form Gulbadin Naib and captain Sam Billings in quick succession, leaving the Capitals at a precarious 39/3 after the powerplay.

Hope and Powell began the recovery process, with Powell striking two massive sixes to lift the momentum. Hope, playing the anchor role, accelerated with a six off Nathan Sowter, bringing up the 50-run partnership in just 31 balls. By the 12th over, the Capitals had reached 100/3, still needing 90 runs off 48 deliveries.

Sam Curran broke the partnership by dismissing Hope in the 14th over, caught at deep mid-wicket. Powell, however, continued his onslaught, bringing up a quick-fire half-century in 30 balls.

With 65 runs required in the last five overs, Powell and Dasun Shanaka kept the Capitals in contention with crucial sixes off Curran. Shanaka looked threatening, scoring 21 off his first nine deliveries, but his stay was cut short when he holed out to Dan Lawrence off David Payne.

The 18th over saw a major setback as Sowter removed Powell, who had been dropped earlier in the innings on a no-ball. This dismissal brought Raza to the crease, and he wasted no time in taking control, finishing the chase with a remarkable display of power hitting.

Batting first, Desert Vipers posted 189/5 in 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant innings from Max Holden (76 off 51 balls, 12 fours) and an explosive unbeaten 62 from Sam Curran.

Obed McCoy provided an early breakthrough for the Capitals, dismissing both openers, Alex Hales and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, inside the first five overs. However, Holden took charge, hammering nine boundaries inside the powerplay to take the Vipers to 53/2 after six overs.

Holden’s impressive stroke play saw him reach his half-century in just 32 balls. Despite a dropped catch on the very next delivery, he continued to play freely, forming a 41-run partnership with Dan Lawrence (10). However, UAE’s Haider Ali dismissed Lawrence in the tenth over, leaving the Vipers at 75/3.

Sam Curran then joined Holden for a 47-run fourth-wicket stand before Sikandar Raza dismissed Holden for 76 in the 16th over. Curran carried on the momentum, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, with five fours and three sixes.

Azam Khan added valuable runs in the death overs, smashing 27 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six, before being run out on the final ball of the innings. His quick-fire knock ensured the Vipers finished with a competitive total.

The ILT20 final was not just about crowning a new champion but also celebrating standout individual performances.

Shai Hope	Won the Green Belt as the tournament’s best batter, amassing 529 runs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi	Claimed the White Belt for taking 21 wickets in 11 innings.
Sam Curran	Received the Red Belt as the most valuable player of the season, finishing with 387 runs and 7 wickets.
Muhammad Waseem	Won the Blue Belt, awarded to the best UAE player, for the third consecutive season.

Rovman Powell, the Player of the Match, credited his teammates for their composure under pressure:
“Credit to the guys in the dressing room, the message was to just stay calm. The competition had been quiet for me, but I wanted to prove myself in the final. Big players stand up in big games.”

Sam Curran, who won the Red Belt, reflected on the loss despite his individual success:
“It was an amazing game, but a tough loss. This has been one of the most enjoyable teams I have played for. Hopefully, we can go one step further next year.”

For the Dubai Capitals, this victory was particularly special after coming close last season but falling short. They not only lifted the trophy but also registered their sixth consecutive victory over the Desert Vipers.