• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Ilt20 2025 Knight Riders Vs Capitals Highlights Shai Hope And Naib Outmuscle Abu Dhabi In Run Fest

ILT20 2025 Knight Riders vs Capitals Highlights: Shai Hope And Naib Outmuscle Abu Dhabi In Run-Fest

Aakash Saini∙ Updated: Jan 26 2025, 7:39 PM

Shai Hope in action against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders [Source: @Dubai_Capitals/x]Shai Hope in action against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders [Source: @Dubai_Capitals/x]

Dubai Capitals pulled off a sensational heist against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in match number 20 of the ILT20 2025 season. In a high-scoring thriller as panned out at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib clubbed regal run-chase half-centuries after Sikandar Raza’s tight bowling spell. 

Here’s the timeline of how Knight Riders vs Capitals panned out in Abu Dhabi:

Knight Riders vs Capitals Highlights: McCoy, Raza Halt Knight Riders Early Momentum

Batting first, Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous got the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders off to a flier with a 63-run opening partnership in just 5.3 overs. Mayers clattered four boundaries and two sixes in his fiery 21-ball 35 while Gous made 27 off 17 balls before both cricketers were dismissed in quick succession by Sikandar Raza and Obed McCoy respectively.

Michael Pepper at number three failed to sustain Knight Riders’ early momentum as the top-order batter became the second wicket from Raza’s economical four-over spell (2-24). In spite of Dubai Capitals’ fightback with the ball, the Knight Riders raced to 100-3 around the halfway stage of the innings.

Knight Riders vs Capitals Highlights: Charith Asalanka Blasts 38-Ball 74 In Late Fury

Forming forces at 82-3, middle-order batters Charith Asalanka and Alishan Sharafu shared 105 runs together for the fourth wicket until the latter retired himself out. While Sharafu made 36 from 21 balls before making his way out of the field, Asalanka top-scored in the innings by smearing 74 runs off just 38 deliveries with six boundaries and four huge sixes.

Asalanka was eventually caught down by Haider Ali off Dushmantha Chameera (1-37) in the slog overs as the Knight Riders reached a monumental 203-4 by the completion of their innings.

Knight Riders vs Capitals Highlights: Shai Hope Sets Up Exciting Chase With Rossington

Chasing 204, Dubai Capitals opener Adam Rossington smeared four boundaries in his 13-ball 21 while forming a 41-run opening partnership with Shai Hope in just 4.2 overs. Shortly after Rossington was done-in by Andre Russell, Hope led the Capitals’ charge alongside number three batter Gulbadin Naib.

The two cricketers muscled the Capitals past the 100-run mark in less than 12 overs, and brought up their century partnership in just 63 balls for the second wicket.

Knight Riders vs Capitals Highlights: Gulbadin Naib Makes Lightwork Of Knight Riders’ 203

Gulbadin Naib mounted 80 runs from just 47 balls with four boundaries and five sixes to make lightwork of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ 203-run total. The hard-hitting Afghan cricketer crafted 135 runs for the second wicket with fellow half-centurion Shai Hope, until he was caught out by Andre Russell off Jason Holder at the brink of the finish line.

Hope top-scored in the innings with an unbeaten 74* from just 53 balls with nine boundaries and a six, while Dasun Shanaka provided the finishing touches to the run-chase with eight-ball 17* as the Dubai Capitals romped to a huge eight-wicket win with a ball to spare.