Dubai Capitals win ILT20 title after beating Desert Vipers in finals; Ends DC franchise's trophy drought

Dubai Capitals defeated the Desert Vipers to win the ILT20 title on Sunday, February 9, ending the DC franchise's hopes of winning a T20 league title. In a tense final encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai defeated Desert Vipers, with Sikandar Raza remaining composed to lead Dubai home in a 190-run chase. It continued to be a roller coaster ride until the end of the match.

Dubai Capitals were behind in the powerplay and lost Gulbadin Naib, David Warner, and Sam Billings. However, Shai Hope, the opener, and Rovman Powell kept the team moving. By stabilizing the ship, they managed to keep the Capitals in the game, but the game changed when Hope was sent off for 43. Powell found connections from one end with Dasun Shanaka and Sikandar Raza scoring 21 runs.

The #DPWorldILT20 🏆 is OURS ✨😍

We’re the CHAMPIONS 🥳🔥#Champions#SoarHighDubai#WeAreCapitals#DCvDV#Finalpic.twitter.com/Qw6h4tAj2x

— Dubai Capitals (@Dubai_Capitals) February 9, 2025

Powell's steady half-century off 30 balls kept the Capitals in the game. The Capitals needed 65 runs from the final five overs to keep on pace for the chase, but the game took a different turn when Powell was removed for 63 in the 18th -. They stood with their backs to the walls, Raza tall. With four balls left and four wickets left, he hammered 34 off 12 balls to send the Capitals home. Desert Vipers, who batted first, scored a respectable 189 thanks to Max Holden's 76 off 51 balls and captain Sam Curran's 62* off 33 deliveries.

Azam Khan and Sam Curran's partnership help the team to reach 189 runs

Following the departure of openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Alex Hales, Holden held one end and kept the scoreboard going. The openers for Vipers laid a solid foundation for the others to build on. Later for the fifth wicket stand Azam Khan and Sam Curran scored 67 runs as Sam Curran scored half century and remained not out. The peak moment of the match came in when Sam Curran smashed 117 meter six to Kuggelejin.

With the help of Azam Khan and Sam Curran Desert Vipers were about to reach 200 but managed to score 189 runs on the scoreboard. Sikandar Raza was the hero for Dubai Capitals as the game went to the final over making them lift the International League T20 title.