Dubai Capitals Narrowly Defeated by MI Emirates in ILT20 Clash

In a gripping match at the Dubai International Stadium, the Dubai Capitals fell short against MI Emirates by just seven runs in the World ILT20 Season 4. Despite a commendable bowling performance led by Muhammad Jawadullah, who took 2 wickets for 7 runs, the Capitals struggled during the middle overs of their chase. Jawadullah reflected on the pivotal moments that shifted the game's momentum and highlighted the challenging pitch conditions. Looking ahead, he remains optimistic about the team's potential to improve and bounce back in their next fixture against the Sharjah Warriorz.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 20:11 IST

Match Overview

In a closely fought encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, the Dubai Capitals showcased a strong bowling effort but ultimately fell short, losing to MI Emirates by just seven runs in the World ILT20 Season 4 match.

Match Highlights

Choosing to bowl first, the Capitals managed to limit MI Emirates to a total of 137 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Muhammad Jawadullah was particularly impressive, taking 2 wickets for just 7 runs in his two overs, which set the tone for the Capitals' bowling attack. Jonny Bairstow's solid half-century was pivotal for MI Emirates, with Mustafizur Rahman also contributing significantly.

Chasing the Target

In pursuit of 138 runs, the Capitals started their innings with confidence and maintained a favorable position for a significant portion of the match. However, the dynamics shifted during the middle overs, primarily due to a crucial spell from Rashid Khan, which hindered the Capitals' progress and left them struggling to keep up, despite being in contention until the last over.

Jawadullah's Insights on the Match

Reflecting on the match, Jawadullah acknowledged that the team lost grip during a critical phase. He stated, "At one point, we felt secure and believed we could secure the win. However, the middle overs proved to be decisive. Their spinner bowled exceptionally well, and we lost several quick wickets, which shifted the game's momentum away from us."

He emphasized the significance of every moment in a low-scoring match, saying, "In such games, each over is crucial. Even towards the end, we couldn't accumulate the necessary runs, which ultimately made the difference."

Pitch Conditions and Challenges

Jawadullah also pointed out that the pitch conditions at the Dubai International Stadium posed additional challenges. He remarked, "The wicket was somewhat slow, and the ball was gripping, making batting challenging throughout the innings. Additionally, there was no dew today, which made chasing more difficult compared to some of our previous matches."

Future Prospects

Despite the loss, Jawadullah expressed optimism about the team's future. He stated, "Our focus is entirely on improving as a team. All players are dedicated, and we believe we will bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches."

The Dubai Capitals are set to aim for a comeback when they face the Sharjah Warriorz in their next match of the DP World ILT20 Season 4.