Abu Dhabi Knight Riders scripted an impressive turnaround after losing seven wickets for 37 runs in the first innings, to win the ILT20 Eliminator against Dubai Capitals by 50 runs on Thursday (December 1).
Phil Salt and Michael Pepper gave ADKR a flying start, putting on 122 runs in 13.3 overs. However, the side were unable to capitalise, and lost wickets in a cluster. Both openers departed within two runs of each other, and by the time they reached the 130-run mark, they were already five down in 16.1 overs. The Knight Riders made 28 more runs by the end of the 20th, losing two more wickets, meaning they had scored 36-7 in the last 39 balls of their innings.
Eliminator, Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
vs
- Ball by ball Over
ADKR script tournament first in easy win
The Knight Riders did not let the momentum shift affect them in the second innings, as they got the wicket of Toby Albert in the second over. Dubai lost six wickets by the halfway mark, with no batter in the top six crossing 15. James Neesham and Mohammad Nabi scored 19 (13) and 27 (21) each, but it was not enough to take the side through after the early collapse. Eventually, Dubai Capitals were shot out for 108 in 16.2 overs, to give ADKR a spot in the second Qualifier.
For ADKR, three bowlers picked up three wickets each: Jason Holder (3-18), Sunil Narine (3-12) and Liam Livingstone (3-26). Ajay Kumar was the other bowler to pick up a wicket, ending with 1-24. It marked the first instance in ILT20 history where three bowlers picked up three wickets in the same innings, and the 99th time in men's T20 history where three bowlers have taken three wickets each in the same match. There were 16 instances of that happening in 2025, and there has already been one on the very first day of the new year.
ADKR will take on MI Emirates in the second Qualifier on Friday, which will determine the finalists alongside Desert Vipers.
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