Dubai Capitals clinched their maiden ILT20 title in a thrilling final against Desert Vipers, securing a four-wicket victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Chasing 189, Sikandar Raza played a decisive role with a blistering 12-ball 34 not out, ensuring victory in the final over. Rovman Powell‘s 63 and Shai Hope’s composed 43 provided the foundation for the Capitals’ chase.
For the Vipers, Max Holden’s resilient 76 kept them in contention after early setbacks, while Sam Curran‘s unbeaten half-century, 62*, featuring five fours and three sixes, propelled them to a competitive total.
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Captain Sam Billings reflects on victory
Following the triumph, Dubai Capitals’ captain Sam Billings lauded his team’s perseverance and composure under pressure.
“What a game of cricket again. We’ve had some brilliant games against the Desert Vipers, and tonight was an outstanding one. At one point, it was all about small margins – both teams made errors that shifted the momentum back and forth. But the composure our guys showed at the end was remarkable. In Twenty20 cricket, especially chasing in this part of the world, you’re never out of the game if two people get going. It was a brilliant game of cricket and an incredible feeling to come out on top.”
Billings reflected on the Capitals’ journey, comparing it to their previous season.
“Similar to last year, we were bottom of the table and had to win five or six in a row to reach the final. Today, I don’t think we bowled as well as we could have, but we managed to peg them back towards the end. The key difference from last year is that we didn’t let them completely get away. We’ve played good cricket, won in different ways, and today, thankfully, we got across the line.”
Tactical decisions and overcoming challenges
On his strategy of utilising seven different bowlers, Billings explained the impact of missing key pacer Dushmantha Chameera.
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“When you lose a player of Chameera’s quality, it’s a big challenge. He’s been our standout pace bowler, and his skill level is phenomenal. We had to adapt, and while I would have liked to use Haider more, the situation with Sam Curran and Max Holden going strong made it difficult. Chopping and changing the attack was necessary to disrupt the batters’ rhythm.”
A historic win for the franchise
Being the first captain to secure a major trophy for the Capitals franchise, Billings dedicated the win to the ownership group.
“This win is for Kiran [Grandhi] and the whole family. Kiran is one of the finest gentlemen in cricket – classy, full of integrity, and incredibly calm. He trusts players to do their jobs without undue pressure. I was gutted when we couldn’t get it done last year, but this time, we delivered. As players, we play to win trophies, create memories, and this triumph means everything.”
Sikandar Raza’s clutch performance
Praising Raza’s match-winning knock, Billings stated, “Yeah, clutch – that’s the word. I told him in the last few games, ‘You’re going to be the guy to hit the winning runs.’ He has done it before, and his experience in high-pressure moments is invaluable. Rovman Powell and Dussen played their roles brilliantly too, but Raza’s finishing ability is what sets him apart.”
The standard of ILT20
On the quality of the ILT20 tournament, Billings highlighted its growing reputation.
“The standard is improving each year. Having nine overseas players elevates the competition, and when you have passionate crowds, it adds to the pressure. This league tests skill and temperament across three different venues, making adaptability crucial. The emergence of local talents like Mohammed Waseem, Haider Ali, and young Farhan is another positive sign. If the tournament can find a dedicated window in the cricket calendar, it will only get stronger.”
Dubai Capitals’ triumph in ILT20 Season 3 was a testament to their resilience, strategic execution, and the leadership of Sam Billings. With the league’s growing stature, the future of ILT20 looks brighter than ever.