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ILT20 2025 DC vs MIE Highlights: Pooran’s 50 In Waste As Gulbadin’s Timely Strikes Leads To Capitals’ Thrilling Win

Akshita Patel

Dubai Capitals beats MI Emirates in ILT20 2025 season opener [Source: @ILT20Official/X.com]Dubai Capitals beats MI Emirates in ILT20 2025 season opener [Source: @ILT20Official/X.com]

In the first fixture of the ILT20 2025 season, Dubai Capitals beat MI Emirates by one run in a low-scoring thriller. Defending 133 runs, the Capitals had a great start to reduce the Emirates to 23/4. However, captain Nicholas Pooran stepped up with a match-winning half-century. While the game was slipping away, Gulbadin Naib’s two-wicket over and Olly Stone, Farhan Khan’s sensational spells, led to the Capitals’ dramatic victory.

Here's how DC vs MIE panned out in Dubai:

DC vs MIE Highlights: Fazal Farooqi dismantles Capitals with a sensational fifer

MI Emirates invited Dubai Capitals to bat first and Fazal Farooqi unleashed his brilliance to draw first blood. He bowled a good length delivery, and Shai Hope played a loose shot, which went to the fielder at deep square leg. The Emirates’ bowling lineup restricted the scoring run rate, resulting in mistakes from the batters. The Capitals lost three wickets at just 54 runs.

However, Farooqi was relentless. He bowled a beautiful spell to claim a five-wicket haul and allowed just 16 runs in his four overs.

DC vs MIE Highlights: Brandon McMullen slams fighting half-century

Against the odds, Brandon McMullen scored 58 off 42 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes. However, the lower order went back to single-digit scores. As a result, the Dubai Capitals finished with 133/8 on board at the end of the first inning. Apart from Farooqi’s fifer, Alzarri Joseph and Zahoor Khan also chipped in with a wicket each.

DC vs MIE Highlights: Olly Stone unsettles Emirates in the powerplay

While the target was below par, Olly Stone did his best to unsettle MI Emirates early. He struck on the second ball to knock over Muhammad Waseem’s stumps. Andre Fletcher was next as he miscued a big shot at mid-on, resulting in a nine-ball duck. Tom Banton and Kusal Perera also failed to withstand the pressure, and MI Emirates landed in a dangerous situation. They had lost four wickets with just 23 runs on the board. 

DC vs MIE Highlights: Nicholas Pooran plays captain knock

With the team’s backs against the wall, MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran stepped up. He built a gritty and crucial 79-run partnership with Akeal Hosein. Pooran took his time while hitting timely boundaries to ensure the required run rate stayed under control. He hit a half-century, whereas Hosein was sent back by Gulbadin on 30 off 31 balls. 

DC vs MIE Highlights: Gulbadin’s dual strikes steers to Capitals’ dramatic win

The Emirates had the game under control until Gulbadin Naib struck twice in his 18th over to remove set batter Nicholas Pooran and new batter Alzarri Joseph. Olly Stone leaked only a single run in a sensational penultimate over as Dubai Capitals added life to the game. With 13 needed off the final over, Kieron Pollard missed some crucial shots as Farhan Khan nailed his variations to perfection. With six needed off the final ball, Pollard could only muster four runs as the Capitals stole a dramatic one-run victory.