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Dubai Capitals snap Desert Vipers’ winning streak in six-wicket triumph

Gulbadin Naib led the chase with a fiery 78-run innings off 51 balls, ensuring the Capitals broke a three-match losing streak

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ILT20

Capitals’ Gulbadin Naib led the charge with a half-century, while Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan starred with the ball, each claiming three wickets. 

The Desert Vipers' undefeated streak finally met its match on Monday, as the Dubai Capitals delivered a stunning six-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium. 

A dominant bowling performance, spearheaded by Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan's three-wicket hauls, restricted the Vipers to 139. 

Gulbadin Naib then led the chase with a fiery 78-run innings off 51 balls, ensuring the Capitals broke a three-match losing streak.

Despite the low first innings total, skipper Lockie Ferguson kept the Vipers in the scheme of things with a sizzling opening spell. 

Ferguson picked up Ben Dunk and Khalid Shah in the second over to leave the Capitals in trouble at 17/2. 

Though the run rate was on track, Opener Shai Hope was run out for eight runs, following a mix up with Gulbadin Naib in the sixth over.

Naib, who was also dropped for two runs earlier in the innings, redeemed himself in the very next over as he took down Nathan Sowter for three sixes, bringing the required run rate to less than six runs an over. 

With Sikandar Raza at one end, Naib blitzed his way to a 31-ball half-century, including two fours and three sixes. 

The pair brought up a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket in as little as 36 balls. As a result, at the 14 over mark, the Capitals were well entrenched in the drivers’ seat needing 32 runs in 36 balls.

Raza, who had taken few chances so far, was caught off Mohammad Amir’s shorter one for 24 runs in 26 balls in the 15th over. 

Najibullah Zadran joined Naib as the latter continued to dominate the Vipers’ bowling attack. Naib launched two more sixes as the Capitals scaled the target in 17.4 overs.

Batting first, the Vipers made a brisk start, reaching 48/1 at the end of the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman set the tone early, smashing a six and a four before being bowled by Dushmantha Chameera in the second over. Dan Lawrence, coming in at number three, matched Zaman's intent, while Alex Hales anchored the innings from the other end.

However, the Capitals took control in the middle phase despite a 58-run stand between Hales and Lawrence. The Vipers suffered a triple blow in quick succession, losing Hales, Lawrence, and Sam Curran across three overs. Haider Ali dismissed Hales for 34 in the tenth over, followed by Lawrence's 24-run effort being curtailed by Gulbadin Naib. Curran was then stumped off Sikandar Raza for three runs, leaving the Vipers struggling at 80/4 in 11.3 overs.

The collapse continued as the Vipers were bowled out for 139 in 20 overs. Brief contributions from Azam Khan (10) and Wanindu Hasaranga (13) ended with both falling to Zahir Khan. Sherfane Rutherford provided a glimmer of hope, striking three sixes in his 27 runs off 24 balls, but Chameera struck for the third time in the penultimate over to halt his charge.

Player of the Match, Gulbadin Naib said: "We were at the bottom of the table, so we were looking for momentum. There's still a long way to go. It's not easy facing bowlers of this quality. Luckily, I gave myself some time. After the drinks break, the staff told me I was looking good, so I said to Sikandar, I will play to my strengths.”

Desert Vipers captain, Lockie Ferguson said: "It was a tough one. We were probably a few runs short and had some chances. They bowled well, and the pitch spun. There's a quick turnaround again, but the boys have been batting beautifully."

Tuesday’s match

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will play MI Emirates on Tuesday, January 21, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi at 7pm.

The match will be broadcast live across Afghanistan by Ariana Television. 

The pre-match show will start at 6.30pm Kabul time.

The full broadcasting schedule is as below:

Ariana Television broadcasting schedule for DP World ILT20

Sport

Islamuddin Amiri announces retirement from football

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Islamuddin Amiri, former captain of Afghanistan’s national football team, has announced that he will no longer participate in professional games.

“With much sadness but without regret, I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the unwavering standard of excellence that professional football demands. I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from the football,” Amiri said on Facebook.

He added that his focus now is to become a “great coach.”

Amiri has mainly played as a defender on the football field and has 20 years of experience.

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Shoaib Akhtar predicts Afghanistan will win semi-final spot in Champions Trophy

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Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has predicted that Afghanistan will be among the four semi-finalists of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to begin later this month in Pakistan.

Akhtar told the media that if the Afghan cricket team demonstrate ‘maturity’ and ‘patience’ then they can deliver surprising results in the upcoming mega event, Geo Super reported.

Akhtar also named hosts and defending champions Pakistan and arch-rivals India as his remaining semi-final contenders.

“I believe Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan will reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy,” said Akhtar.

“If Afghanistan’s team demonstrates maturity and their batsmen show patience, they could deliver surprising results,” he added.

The right-arm pacer further shared that he is hopeful for Pakistan to beat India before expressing his desire to see the fierce rivals colliding in the blockbuster final.

“I’m hopeful that Pakistan will defeat India on February 23. In fact, I believe that both Pakistan and India should also meet in the final of the tournament.

“If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament.”

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi.

 

 

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England will not boycott Afghanistan match at Champions Trophy: ECB

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England will play their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan later this month, England's cricket board (ECB) said on Thursday, despite calls to boycott the game in response to the Islamic Emirate's restrictions on women.

Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan which will be held in Lahore on February 26.

South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also supported calls for a boycott.

However, ECB chair Richard Thompson said they would play the match after discussions with the government, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the players, adding that the cricketing community alone cannot tackle Afghanistan's problems.

"We remain of the view that a co-ordinated international response by the cricketing community is the appropriate way forward and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match," Thompson said in a statement.

"We have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture."

The Islamic Emirate says it respect women's rights in accordance with Islamic law and local customs and that they are internal matters that should be addressed locally.

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