Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The presence of Shahrukh 'King' Khan and a massive 200-plus score in the DP World International League Twenty20 (ILT20) could not ensure victory for his team Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as they lost to Dubai Capitals by seven wickets at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Capitals entered the history books of the league as the team with the highest run chase ever.
The popular actor and team owner King Khan took time out to attend the early part of the match before driving down to Dubai where he was due to appear at the Global Village to mark the 29th anniversary of the tourist destination in the UAE.
When his team ADKR, dressed in purple gear, put up 203 runs for the loss of four wickets and set about defending the total, the owner and his entourage hit the road. Although he does not micro-manage the team's daily affairs, the news travelling to him was that his team bowlers got hit all over the park with Gulbadin Naib (80) and Shai Hope (70 not out) providing the bulwark with a 135-run partnership.
Adam Rossington and Hope put up 54 runs in the powerplay before the former departed, paving the way for the massive partnership. By the time Jason Holder's slower one saw the end of Naib in the 18th over, the Capitals were headed home with 26 needed from three overs. Naib finished his innings with 80 runs in 47 balls, including four fours and five sixes.
Dasun Shanaka, who provided the finisher role in stunning Desert Vipers earlier, did an encore, hitting Andre Russell for two fours and a six in the 19th over to ensure there was no late surprises in reaching the target in 19.5 overs and completing the largest run chase in the tournament's two-and-half seasons. Shanaka was unbeaten on 17 runs in eight balls.
Player of the Match and Afghanistan's No.4 batsman Naib said: "Shai and I were just looking to rotate the strike at one stage, but after the 14th over, we shifted the momentum. T20 cricket should always be entertaining for the crowd. If you observe the opposition and they look worried, it means you are doing well."
Losing captain Sunil Narine said: "Our batting needed to step up today, and thankfully, it did. However, I don't think we did a fantastic job with the ball. It's a good pitch, and credit to them – they batted well. If we're not taking wickets, we're allowing the batting team to get back into the game.
Earlier, the Abu Dhabi team got an ideal start with a 63-run partnership between openers, Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous (27 runs from 17 balls). Mayers smashed 35 from 21 balls, until Sikandar Raza dismissed him and Michael Pepper soon after to leaving the Knight Riders at 82/3 in 8.2 overs.
However, Capitals dropped many catches and allowed Charith Asalanka and Alishan Sharafu to amass 105 runs in just 52 deliveries. Asalanka's commanding 74 off 38 balls featured six fours and four sixes, while Sharafu added a swift 36 from 21 balls before retiring hurt in the 17th over – the second time this season to make way for an accomplished player.
