DBC vs ADKR: Powell's all-round show bests Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Rovman Powell scored 48 runs and took two wickets (Source: Twitter/@ILT20Official)
Dubai Capitals are off to a flying start as they defeated Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 73 runs in the opening match of the inaugural International League T20 season.
Powell lords over
With his Caribbean flair, Rovman Powell came down hard on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders as his bravado helped Dubai Capitals boss around in the second half of the first innings.
While the Capitals did not bat in the T20 style initially, it changed after Powell's arrival as the West Indian muscled three fours and as many sixes to shake the things up.
Although Ali Khan, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine had given the Capitals their first three dents, the 51-run fourth wicket stand between Powell and Sikandar Raza turned the tide.
Ravi Rampaul dismissed the dangerous duo for 48 and 26 runs respectively. However, crucial cameos from Ravi Bopara (12*) and Isuru Udana (11*) helped Dubai finish at 187-6 after 20 overs.
Powell does the trick, again!
Paul Stirling was Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' top-scorer (Source: Twitter/@ILT20Official)
If Powell's batting prowess was not enough, he even came back to deliver with the ball. He claimed two wickets, including that of Paul Stirling, who was well set and had even crossed his fifty.
Chasing 188 runs, the Knight Riders never looked in control as they continued to lose wickets regularly.
None of the batters barring Stirling, who scored a 38-ball 54, could get set. The second-best knock of the night played by an Abu Dhabi batter was that of Russell (12).
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Akif Raja and Powell took two wickets each as Abu Dhabi lost by 73 runs.
Brief scores:
Dubai Capitals - 187/6 (20)
Rovman Powell 48 (29), Robin Uthappa 43 (33),
Ravi Rampaul 2-36 (4), Ali Khan 2-45 (3)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders - 114/9 (20)
Paul Stirling 54 (38), Andre Russell 12 (12);
Rovman Powell 2-15 (2), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2-16 (4)
Dubai Capitals won by 73 runs
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